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For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth

One of this movie's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Source

This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.

Believable Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining