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For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.

Superb Pacing and Personal Development

Among this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into its world before everything gets upended.

Unique Infection Origin

This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining