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Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth

Among this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.

Unique Infection Origin

This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition produces on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.

Believable Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining