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Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.

Excellent Pacing and Character Development

One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Source

This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable