The Elixir Review: Indonesia’s Gory Answer to Train to Busan

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

A Welcome Return to Classic Zombie Mayhem

My only point of reference for The Elixir was a wacky trailer that made the film look cool. When I finally fired it up on Netflix, it felt like coming home to the zombie movies of years past. I was instantly reminded of Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead, the ultra-violent The Sadness, and even George Romero’s Land of the Dead. You’ll know what I mean once you see it.

The Plot: A Familial Formula for Disaster

The film centers on a dysfunctional family that runs a successful herbal medicine company. Their patriarch, desperate to revitalize the business, creates a new nootropic elixir said to reverse aging and boost stamina. It works—until it doesn’t. The potion’s side effects turn its users into feral, flesh-hungry zombies. And not the slow, lumbering kind; these are the sprinting, howling, tear-your-face-off kind of undead. Once that door opens, The Elixir becomes a non-stop panic attack.

More Than Gore: A Tone of Desperation

What really sets the film apart is its tone. It’s not just about blood and guts; it’s about desperation and people clinging to control as their world collapses. Director Kimo Stamboel brings his sharp sense of pacing and chaos to the table. Every attack sequence feels unpredictable and alive. There’s a crisp, kinetic energy to how he moves the camera through hallways and corridors, letting the claustrophobia hit you full force.

A Dysfunctional Family with Real Bite

The family dynamic gives the movie its emotional core. Greed, guilt, and grief all stew together as everything falls apart. There’s something almost tragic about how the film refuses to grant anyone redemption. When the final act rolls around, it’s pure nihilism—no heroes, no saviors, just the inevitable crash of consequence. It’s the rare zombie film that doesn’t pretend survival is an option.

Slick and Punchy Visuals

Visually, the film is slick. The color palette leans toward cold blues and muted greens, with sudden bursts of crimson when the violence hits. The gore effects look practical and punchy, not cheap or overdone. The infected makeup has a diseased sheen, as if the skin itself is rebelling against the body. It’s gross in the best way possible.

The Verdict: A Bleak, Brutal, and Unforgettable Ride

The Elixir doesn’t necessarily offer closure, and that’s okay. The last shot feels like a setup for a sequel or a new franchise. It’s easy to imagine this being Indonesia’s answer to Train to Busan—a homegrown, adrenaline-soaked brand of zombie chaos that balances horror with human emotion. Kimo Stamboel knows how to keep things moving and make it all feel urgent. The pacing never stalls, and even when the script takes a predictable turn, the execution saves it. The Elixir may not reinvent the undead, but it proves there’s still life left in the genre. Add it to your Halloween queue, dim the lights, and get ready to run.

The Elixir is streaming now on Netflix

Details

• Rating Certificate: TV-MA
• Studios & Distributors: Mowin Pictures | Netflix
• Director: Kimo Stamboel
• Written By: Agasyah Karim | Khalid Kashogi | Kimo Stamboel
• Country: Indonesia
• Language: Indonesian
• Run Time: 116 Mins.
• Aspect Ratio: 2.00:1
• Release Date: 23 October 2025