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For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains 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 entertaining.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth

One of this movie's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.

Original Zombification Origin

The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining