‘The Elixir’ Brings Indonesian Zombies to the World

‘The Elixir’ Brings Indonesian Zombies to The World

Netflix’s latest Indonesian horror hit, The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya), directed by acclaimed filmmaker Kimo Stamboel, has taken the world by storm. Since its release on October 23, the film has soared to the No. 1 spot on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English Films list, amassing over 11 million views in just a matter of days. During the week of October 20–26, The Elixir ranked No. 1 in five countries and broke into the Top 10 in 75 countries — including Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, Germany, France, South Africa, Turkey, the Dominican Republic, Canada, and Brazil.

Audiences around the world have embraced The Elixir for its pulse-pounding thrills and its unmistakably Indonesian flavor. The film blends rich cultural elements, strikingly original zombie designs, and top-tier production value to deliver a fresh take on the zombie genre — one that feels both universal and deeply local. Director Kimo Stamboel set out to craft a zombie survival horror that would resonate with Indonesian audiences while captivating viewers worldwide. “I wanted to create a zombie film that truly feels Indonesian, not just in its setting or language, but in its very core,” Kimo explains. “From Jamu and Javanese villages to the dynamics of family, this story is rooted in our culture. Seeing it embraced globally proves that local stories can have universal resonance.”

A Story Rooted in Indonesian Culture

At the heart of The Elixir is a uniquely Indonesian premise: the story of a jamu (traditional herbal drink) entrepreneur whose quest to create an elixir of youth goes horribly wrong, unleashing a zombie outbreak. Drawing inspiration from local deep-rooted beliefs in jamu’s healing power, the film is set in a small Javanese village rendered with authentic detail — from traditional wedding tents and old motorcycles to local police stations — creating a setting that feels both real and relatable.

But The Elixir is more than just a zombie film.  It’s a story about family, love, and survival.  The outbreak begins within a fractured family that is already on the brink: a patriarch desperate to keep his power, disputes over the family business, a marriage on the verge of collapse, and tensions over inheritance. The zombie outbreak forces them to come together in order to protect what truly matters: the people they love.

Zombies Like No Other Inspired by the pitcher plant — a carnivorous species found in Indonesia’s tropical forests — the zombies in the film were crafted with remarkable detail following extensive research. Just as the pitcher plant has pores, cavities and prominent inner veins, the zombies in The Elixir share these distinctive features.

Special effects makeup artist Astrid Sambudiono explained that the veins and wound textures were first designed digitally before being applied to the actors. Together with her 20-member team, she created makeup for over 200 zombie actors, divided into three categories: main zombies, supporting zombies and background zombies.

Each group required different makeup techniques and levels of detail, depending on the camera’s focus. Main zombies used silicone makeup for sharper textures and intricate details, supporting zombies used prosthetic transfers, and background zombies relied on tattoo transfers to create visible scar patterns.

Beyond the makeup department, the production team also enlisted choreographer Boby Ari Setiawan to develop the zombies’ signature movements. After six months of research, Boby created over 200 distinct motions. “When the virus first infects the body, the transformation manifests through erratic, animal-like movements. We drew inspiration from primal instincts and aggression,” he explained. “My job was to ensure the actors maintained consistency in their performances, as each bite — whether on the hand, neck, or leg — produces a different physical response.”

He added that the workshops with the actors also included both physical and vocal training. “The concept is that when the virus attacks the body, the chest feels as if it’s burning. That’s why zombies don’t breathe through their noses but through their mouths — they need more oxygen, which makes their voices louder. So, the challenge for the actors wasn’t only physical, but also about maintaining proper vocal technique while portraying zombies.”

Starring Mikha Tambayong, Eva Celia, Marthino Lio, Dimas Anggara, Ardit Erwandha, Claresta Taufan, Donny Damara, Varen Arianda Calief and Kiki Narendra, The Elixir has been plunging audiences into a never-ending suspense, only on Netflix.