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Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development

One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy struck.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting us who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.

Unique Infection Source

The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Characters

More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable