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Typically, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.

Superb Rhythm and Character Development

Among this movie's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently interrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before making a sudden turn into shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Origin

This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.

Stereotypical Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable