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Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Excellent Rhythm and Character Development

One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.

Original Zombification Origin

The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining