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Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth

Among this movie's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to get to know its main personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Source

This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable