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For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Character Growth

One of the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Source

The film also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.

Believable Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining