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Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Development

One of the film's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Origin

This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable