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Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.

Excellent Rhythm and Character Development

Among the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.

Invested in the Drama

I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.

Original Zombification Source

This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Characters

More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable