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For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Development

One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.

Invested in the Drama

I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets upended.

Original Infection Origin

The film also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable