This fall, Netflix is serving up a fresh horror thrill with The Elixir, an Indonesian zombie movie already climbing the global charts. Directed by Kimo Stamboel, and celebrated for his bold approach to horror, the film follows a family whose experiment with a herbal youth potion unleashes a terrifying outbreak. With intense visuals and a chilling atmosphere, The Elixir combines local folklore with the hallmarks of classic horror cinema, exploring universal themes of ambition and survival. In just a week, The Elixir had captivated viewers becoming the second most-watched movie on Netflix worldwide. Here’s everything you need to know about The Elixir – from the plot and cast to reviews and release date. The trailer is at the bottom of the article.
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The Elixir – all the key details
- Title: The Elixir
- Original title: Abadi Nan Jaya
- Format: Film
- Length: 116 minutes
- Genre: Horror / Thriller / Zombie
- Country of production: Indonesia
- Original language: Indonesian / Javanese
- Director: Kimo Stamboel
- Lead cast: Mikha Tambayong, Eva Celia, Marthino Lio, Dimas Anggara, Donny Damara
- Produced by: Mowin Pictures / Netflix
What The Elixir is about
In a remote Indonesian village, a family running a herbal-medicine business creates a potion promising youth—but their discovery sparks a terrifying zombie outbreak. As infected villagers multiply, the family races to contain the chaos, uncovering dark secrets in their own home and facing the deadly consequences of their ambition. The Elixir blends heart-stopping horror with local myths, showing how greed, family loyalty, and survival collide in a story that twists and escalates with every turn.
The Elixir cast: the main characters
Mikha Tambayong plays Kenes, the daughter caught between familial expectations and the outbreak’s horror. Eva Celia portrays Karina, the younger wife whose arrival introduces friction and tragedy into the patriarch’s domain. Finally, Donny Damara embodies Sadimin, the family patriarch whose experiment ignites the contagion. The trio anchors a tense ensemble navigating both internal conflict and external collapse.
The reviews
Critics have noted that The Elixir delivers on gore and visual intensity, successfully elevating zombie horror with Indonesian cultural elements and disquieting imagery. On the other side, the film’s narrative and character logic have drawn criticism, with remarks that the runtime feels overly ambitious and that the story struggles to balance emotional weight with carnage. Overall, its success in the global charts proves that viewers are appreciating the film worlwide, embracing its bold visuals, unique cultural twist, and intense horror experience.
Where was The Elixir filmed?
Principal photography took place around Yogyakarta and Magelang in Central Java, Indonesia, grounding the film’s setting in real locations that enhance its rural and atmospheric tone.
Behind the scenes
Director Kimo Stamboel, known for his horror background, explained that The Elixir is part of Netflix’s push into Southeast Asian genre content, blending traditional Javanese herbal-medicine lore with modern zombie tropes.
Release date on streaming
The movie is available on Netflix starting October 23, 2025 ► WATCH ON NETFLIX
