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Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth

Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy struck.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.

Unique Infection Source

This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel much more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable