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For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Superb Pacing and Character Growth

One of the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.

Unique Zombification Source

This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—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 causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable