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Typically, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Character Development

One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster occurred.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Origin

The film also offers a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.

Believable Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining