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Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Character Development

One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Source

The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel much more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable