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Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.

Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth

One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing us the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.

Original Infection Source

This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on people is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly 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's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable