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Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.

Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth

Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the disaster struck.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking territory. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets upended.

Original Infection Source

The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining