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Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth

Among this movie's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.

Invested in the Conflict

I became so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.

Original Zombification Origin

This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.

Realistic Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining