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Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Character Development

One of the film's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Source

The film also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable