In “The Elixir” (original title: Abadi Nan Jaya), an Indonesian Zombie horror film, director Kimo Stamboel’s astutely measured approach to blending the gore with the poignant finds a cozy vantage point from which the view is slightly different despite the familiar landscape. However, it is the genre thrills that ensure that the Netflix film remains engaging throughout. And “The Elixir” has what it takes to satiate the genre fans’ thirst, with its pulsating action pieces and ferociously grotesque zombie attacks. The film also, though mildly, dabbles in a parable-like moral lesson on accepting aging gracefully.
The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya, 2025) ‘Netflix’ Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
The story starts with a lovers’ quarrel between Ningsih (Claresta Taufan Kusumarina) and Rahaman (Ardit Erwandha). They are at the village chief’s house for a party. A large crowd has gathered there for the occasion. It appears that Rahaman is on the verge of proposing marriage to Ningsih. However, a last-minute call from work distracts him, and he puts the ring back in his pocket. Just as Rahaman leaves, a car almost hits the large crowd outside that house. The chief, assuming a case of drunk driving, pulls the driver’s door open. With bloodshot eyes and a foaming mouth, the driver, clearly a zombie, attacks the chief and kills him. Shocked and panicked, the crowd runs helter-skelter towards the house.
We go back five hours earlier to understand what caused the outbreak. One of the village’s richest men is Sadimin (Donny Damara), the owner of the pharma company Wani Waras. After the death of his first wife, Sadimin married the much younger Karina (Eva Celia). Karina was the childhood friend of Sadimin’s daughter, Kenes (Mikha Tambayong). Understandably, her father marrying her best friend did not go down well with Kenes. Kenes, with her husband Rudi (Dimas Anggara) and their young son Raihan, comes to meet Sadimin as there is a prospect of a merger between Wani Waras and a larger pharma company. Sadimin’s son and Kenes’ brother, Bambang (Marthino Lio), is also there.
Before meeting his family, Sadimin received a package from Wani Waris’ research department. The package contains an experimental drug that Sadimin hails as the ‘elixir.’ Sadimin gulps the drug. After a few hours, when Sadimin meets Karina, Kenes, and the rest of his family, he looks significantly younger. His gray hairs are all black now, and his limbs firmer. With this newfound zeal, Sadimin announces that he will decline the merger because he has found the ‘elixir,’ the drug to reverse aging. All of the family members are shocked and apprehensive about Sadimin’s sudden and drastic change. Soon, their apprehension is replaced by outright horror.
Before his family’s very eyes, Sadimin turns into a murderous zombie. He attacks one of the servants and bites into their neck. Sadimin also vomits blood on the family driver, thus planting the seed of the zombie virus in him. This driver would later crash the car in front of the chief’s house and start the outbreak there. It becomes a bloodbath as Sadimin turns another servant into a zombie. Rudi, Raihan, and Karina scarpers on foot as a zombie chases them. Kenes and Bambang, who are a little late to grasp the full length of the outbreak, manage to take a car and drive away.
The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya, 2025) ‘Netflix’ Movie Ending Explained:
How Did Rudi Turn?
Rudi, Raihan, and Karina venture towards the village chief’s house, hoping to find aid. Of course, they have no idea what is at the store at the chief’s house. Kenes calls Rudi and learns about their location. As Kenes and Bambang drive towards the chief’s house, Rudi and Karina hide from the horde of zombies, all while protecting young Raihan. However, their plan does not work as Kenes and Bambang’s car is spotted by the zombies. Bambang drives the car away from the chief’s house, as Rudi’s team leaves to take shelter in another house. However, Rudi gets beaten on the way.
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Rudi, realizing he does not have much time, asks Raihan to remember that his father loves him. Rudi asks Karina to look after Raihan. However, before he could go out to ensure Karina and Raihan remain safe, he turns. Zombie Rudi attacks Karina and Raihan. With some effort and luck, Karina manages to lock Rudi in one of the rooms.
What Happens to Ningsih and Rahaman?
As it appears, the house Karina and Raihan take shelter in belongs to Ningsih. Ningsih has survived the zombie onslaught and is trying to contact his boyfriend Rahaman, who is also a police officer. Meanwhile, after crashing their car, Kenes and Bambang also take shelter in the police station. They meet Rahaman there. However, due to their clear lack of skill in fighting zombies, all the police officers, barring Rahaman, fall prey to the incoming horde.
Kenes calls Rudi, but Karina picks up the call. Kenes is devastated to learn that Rudi has fallen. However, she is relieved to know Raihan is alive and Karina is taking care of him. She tells them that they are in the police station. Noticing how the zombies become docile in the rain, Ningsih, Karina, and Raihan leave for the police station in the pouring rain. Meanwhile, Kenes, Bambang, and Rahaman shoot at the zombies with whatever ammunition they have. They also set off fireworks to distract the zombies. However, most of their plans fall short.
Eventually, Kenes manages to get herself into a truck. Soon, she notices Karina and Raihan coming towards the police station. Evading the zombies, Kenes, Karina, Ningsih, and Raihan take shelter in the truck. Karina drives the truck. She manages to hit a few zombies but crashes into the police station. The women join Bambang and Rahaman in fighting the zombies. Ningsih and Rahaman fall first. However, in a poignantly melancholic touch, Rahaman gives the ring to Ningsih before they turn into zombies.
Did Bambang and Kenes Turn Zombie?
Bambang finds his leg stuck underneath the truck. Realizing he cannot get out, he decides to sacrifice himself. With some pleading, he manages to convince Kenes and Karina to leave him to save Raihan. Bambang distracts the zombies with fireworks and allows the two women to escape by the side door. Bambang, before turning, throws the fireworks towards a poodle of petroleum. The truck catches fire and takes the whole police station with it.
However, Kenes notices that she is bitten. Realizing she has only moments, she pleads with Karina to save Raihan. To take care of him. Kenes distracts the remaining zombies with a firecracker. This allows Karina and Raihan to escape on Ningsih’s scooter. Kenes shoots herself just before she could turn into a zombie. As the sun rises, we see Karina leaving the village border with Raihan by her side.
Who Was the Mysterious Woman at the End?
There are a couple of climactic twists that keep the door for a sequel open. Firstly, we see one of the zombies follow the trail of Karina and Raihan, meaning the outbreak is no longer contained within that one village. On the other hand, we see the urban setting of Jakarta, where a woman named Grace has received a package. It was shown that the ‘elixir’ drug is sent to Sadimin and to someone named Grace in Jakarta. Understandably, this Grace is also one of the shareholders of the company. Just before the end credits start to roll, we see Grace telling her partner that all her gray hairs have turned black. We know what that means.
