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Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.

Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth

Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Origin

This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable