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For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.

Excellent Rhythm and Character Development

One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.

Unique Zombification Source

The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.

Believable Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. 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 on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining