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For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth

One of the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Origin

The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable