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Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre 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, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.

Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development

Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster occurred.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.

Invested in the Drama

I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.

Unique Infection Source

The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining