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For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.

Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth

One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.

Invested in the Drama

I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each relative is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets upended.

Original Infection Source

The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on people is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining