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For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.

Superb Pacing and Personal Development

One of the film's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster struck.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into its world before everything gets upended.

Original Infection Origin

The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "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. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.

Stereotypical Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining