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For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.

Superb Pacing and Personal Development

Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.

Unique Infection Source

This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable