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For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. 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 what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth

One of this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster struck.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.

Original Zombification Source

The film also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. 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 break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable