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Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.

Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth

Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.

Unique Zombification Origin

This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable