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Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.

Impressive Pacing and Character Growth

One of the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Origin

This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable