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Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Character Development

Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.

Unique Infection Source

This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable