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Typically, I'm over undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.

Impressive Pacing and Character Development

One of the film's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Source

This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable