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Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Development

One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the disaster struck.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.

Invested in the Drama

I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before taking a sudden shift into shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into the setting before it gets upended.

Original Infection Source

This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. 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 brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable