🔗 Share this article

For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.

Superb Pacing and Personal Development

One of the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster occurred.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Source

This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.

Believable Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining