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Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth

One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.

Unique Infection Origin

The film also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.

Stereotypical Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat 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 frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable