🔗 Share this article

For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth

Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.

Unique Zombification Origin

This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining