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Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.

Superb Rhythm and Character Growth

Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.

Original Zombification Origin

The film also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning 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 forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable