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Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.

Superb Rhythm and Character Growth

One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.

Unique Zombification Source

The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.

Realistic Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining