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Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely 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 horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth

One of this movie's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.

Original Infection Source

This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining