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Typically, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Character Growth

Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the disaster occurred.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Source

The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel much more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining