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Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth

Among this movie's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.

Original Infection Origin

The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining