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Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.

Superb Pacing and Character Development

Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.

Invested in the Drama

I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Origin

The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.

Realistic Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable