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For the most part, I'm over undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.

Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth

Among the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift into shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into the setting before it gets upended.

Unique Zombification Source

This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining