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For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Excellent Pacing and Character Development

One of this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster occurred.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Origin

This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on people is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel much more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable