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For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Character Growth

One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.

Invested in the Drama

I became so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Source

The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.

Believable Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable