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For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.

Superb Rhythm and Character Growth

Among this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Origin

This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Characters

Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! 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 clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining