The Elixir (a film by Kimo Stamboel)

October 28, 2025

The Elixir

Kimo Stamboel directs the first Indonesian zombie-themed film, The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya). The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya) film first launched on Netflix Indonesia on October 23, 2025, which also offers English and Japanese dubbed audio. The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya) is set in Wanirejo Village, a fictive location in Yogyakarta, where the center of the film focuses on the family who owns Pabrik Jamu Wani Waras (Wani Waras Herbal Medicine Factory). The film itself was actually shot in Piyungan village, Bantul, Yogyakarta.

The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya) uses more than 200 extra cameos who play zombie crowds. The combination of the zombie makeup artist's work and special effects has made the film the most watched on Netflix in its first week. After all, it is the first Indonesian zombie-themed genre, unlike previous Indonesian ghost-themed films.

The Javanese language is used in the film, with most dialog using Bahasa Indonesia. I think it is quite funny hearing Rudi scream dog as a profanity to curse at the zombie who is chasing him when it is dubbed in English audio. Jamu Abadi Nan Jaya from the sample ANJ 23B is said to use natural ingredients from the Kantong Semar (Nepenthes Linn.).

Kantong Semar (Nepenthes Linn.)

Kantong Semar (Nepenthes Linn.) is a carnivorous plant that catches and digests insects. This plant is characterized by a tube-shaped pouch or trap located at the tip of its leaves. A reason for the zombies becoming numb when it rains and catching the falling raindrops.

The ending of the film implies that there will be a second sequel to the film, which would certainly be more rational if the location setting was expanded to at least cover the entirety of Indonesia being affected by the zombie outbreak before heading overseas.

The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya) Official Trailer
YouTube video is courtesy of Netflix Indonesia

Plot

The scene opens 5 hours later at a wedding reception at the village head's house. Rahman (Ardit Erwandha), who was still in full police uniform, chased after Ningsih (Rr. Claresta Taufan Kusumarina), who half ran and rushed to the kitchen, leaving him behind upon seeing him. Ningsih questioned Rahman's determination about when he would propose to her while washing the dishes. Behind Ningsih, Rahman took out his ring to propose to her in the kitchen. However, Rahman canceled his proposal when his commander called and asked him to return to the police station.

Shortly after Rahman left the wedding reception at the village head's house, a car passed by on the road where the wedding tent had been set up and knocked over the guest chairs. The car stopped after hitting a pickup truck carrying a sound system for the wedding reception. Many guests fell due to the speed of the car. The village head (Stephanus Tjiproet) then ran to the stopped car and knocked on the window. When the car door was opened, inside, Aris (Kiki Narenda), the Sadimin (Donny Damara) family driver, who had begun to transform into a monster, quickly pounced on the village head, knocked him down, and bit him on the edge of the rice field.

5 Hours Earlier

Wani Waras = Dare to be healthy

At Pabrik Jamu Wani Waras, the herbal medicine scientist is asking his crew to deliver the two samples of the new product of herbal medicine that they call Abadi Nan Jaya (Eternity Glorious), which have not been tested by the Indonesian BPOM (National Agency of Drug and Food Control). One for the owner, Sadimin, and the other for his business partner in Jakarta, Grace (Karina Suwandhi).

Receiving the sample from the factory, Sadimin drinks it without hesitation. Returning from the bathroom after taking a shower, he is surprised that he no longer needs glasses and his gray hair has also turned black again. His wrinkled, aged skin is no longer visible. His wife, Karina (Eva Celia Latjuba), noticed the change in her husband's looks and then asked Sadimin. Thanks to this new formula of Jamu Abadi Nan Jaya. It makes me young again, said Sadimin.

Best Friend as Mother-in-Law

Kenes, Karina & Bambang (From left to right)

That morning, Kenes (Mikha Tambayong), with her husband Rudi (Dimas Anggara) and their only child Raihan (Varen Arianda Calief), is visiting Sadimin's residence from Jakarta by car. Kenes is Sadimin's youngest daughter, who is also his wife, Karina's best friend from high school. While Bambang (Marthino Lio), Sadimin's elder son, is a toy collector and an online gamer that never left his father's house. Kenes's and Karina's relationship was broken after Karina married Sadimin shortly after Kenes's mother passed away.

Kenes and Rudi's visit to Sadimin's house was to finalize the sale of the factory, which Sadimin had previously mentioned. Sadimin's plans to retire from managing the factory and the lack of sales were the primary reasons for the sale. Meanwhile, Bambang, Kenes, and Rudi had other plans for the money that they would receive from the factory sale's deal. Bambang wants to buy a new car. Kenes and Rudi are getting a divorce, and Kenes will use the money to start a new business. But all of their plans go away after Sadimin states that he refuses to sell the factory. Both Sadimin's children questioned him angrily. "It's all because of this new formula of Jamu Abadi Nan Jaya that will make the factory great again, said Sadimin.

The First Zombie's Bite

Sadimin turns into a zombie

Sadimin is stressed after having an intense debate with both of his children and his son-in-law. He feels an itch on his skin and suddenly gets a seizure. All of them are in a panic after noticing that Sadimin is no longer breathing.

Raihan screams for his mother when he first sees his grandfather turn into a monster. Pardi (Hingka Moedra), the family servant, is surprised to see his master suddenly change, who then jumps on him and bites him. Aris's effort to rescue Pardi is in vain when Sadimin suddenly jumps on him. Lying on the floor, Sadimin, on top of Aris's body, tries to bite him but vomits blood instead all over Aris's face.

Bambang comes to rescue Aris but ends up in the same position as Aris. Having his new toy in his hand, Bambang shoots his father's head with a plastic arrow. Rudi then asks Aris to drive to the nearest precinct to report the incident in their house. Meanwhile, the other family servant treats the injured Pardi in the kitchen.

Assault on Precinct Wanirejo

After the wedding incident, which made more infected zombie crowds, which was transmitted by Aris. The crowds occupy the Precinct Wanirejo until late at night, after the help from the Sleman Police Resort has also been attacked by the crowds on the way to the precinct.

On that same night, Rahman finally manages to propose to Ningsih by putting the ring on Ningsih's finger while surrounded by zombie crowds who bite both of them. Bambang sacrifices himself to save Kenes, Karina, and Raihan by blowing up the whole precinct.

On the way escaping the remaining zombie crowds, Kenes notices that her hand has also been bitten. She then asked Karina to take care of her only son. Kenes takes a bullet through her head when her face is starting to show the zombie transformation.

In the morning, Karina and Raihan manage to leave the village using Rahman's motorbike, followed by Pardi walking behind them. Meanwhile, in Jakarta, Grace, Sadimin's business partner, tries to call Sadimin shortly after drinking the sample ANJ 23B from the factory. The film ended with a blurry image showing Grace's youth transformation after leaving the bathroom.

The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya)

Gowok: Javanese Kamasutra (a film by Hanung Bramantyo)

October 18, 2025

Gowok: Javanese Kamasutra

A film by Hanung Bramantyo that tells about Gowok, a profession for women aged 20 to 40 years who are hired by a family to teach their adult son, who is soon going to be married, how to treat his wife well, maintain household harmony, and prepare the man to become a quality husband in sexual aspects. As a gowok, they are usually unmarried and adopt a young girl as their student who will one day succeed them and inherit their knowledge. Gowok, called "Nyai", or "Madam", are highly respected by the local residents, similar to a traditional witch doctor or shaman who usually assists in childbirth in the community.

The Gowok: Javanese Kamasutra film participated in the Big Screen Competition for the 2025 Rotterdam International Film Festival. The film is based on a 2014 Kamasutra novel, "Nyai Gowok", by Budi Sardjono. Gowok: Javanese Kamasutra is set in an unknown village in Bumirejo, Central Java, with a 4-year period between the years of 1933, 1950, 1965, and 1985. The film was actually shot in Gamplong village, Sleman, Yogyakarta, which is more than 100 km away from Bumirejo.

The term "Gowok" is said to have originated from the name of a Chinese woman, Goo Wok Niang, who came to Java along with Admiral Cheng Ho's expedition fleets in the 15th century. The Gowok: Javanese Kamasutra film mostly used the Javanese language with the Tegal dialect, or Ngapak language, which I am also not familiar with.

Gowok as illustrated in the 2014 novel "Nyai Gowok" by Budi Sardjono.

Plot

A woman was running while carrying a baby and fell when a knife stabbed her in the back. She told Nyai Santi (Lola Amaria), a well-known Gowok in the village, to look after her baby named Ratri. Seventeen years later, young Ratri (Alika Jantinia) transforms into a gorgeous girl. As Nyai Santi's apprentices, along with Liyan (Aldy Bisl), a gay man who loves to dress as a woman, they both serve their master with their whole lives.

When a noble family arrives at Nyai Santi's mansion asking for their son, young Jaya (Devano Danendra), to be "gowok" by Nyai Santi, both Ratri and Jaya fall in love at first sight. Jaya gives a promise to Ratri that he will marry her after graduating from his school in Semarang. Both of them then exchange letters after Jaya finishes the "gowok ritual".

However, Nyai Santi has another plan to separate both of them and is convinced that Jaya will never keep his promise to Ratri. Ratri's heart is broken after learning that Jaya is soon to be married to the daughter of the Sultan of Surakarta (Slamet Rahardjo Djarot) and will earn the title of Regent of Bumiarjo. Twenty-five years later, the adult Ratri (Raihaanun) finally succeeded Nyai Santi, inherited all her knowledge, and became a famous gowok in the district.

A surprise visit came from the Sultan of Surakarta to Nyai Santi's mansion, asking her to "gowok" his grandchildren, Bagas (Ali Fikry). But since Nyai Santi is already retired and succeeded by Ratri, who is now called Nyai Ratri, she will be the one to "gowok" Bagas. Without both Nyai Santi and Nyai Ratri knowing, adult Jaya (Reza Rahadian) enters the room and claims to be Bagas's father.

Bagas is unaware of his father's past relationship with Ratri, who successfully made him fall in love, just like his old man. Ratri used this opportunity as a weapon to take revenge for what Jaya did to her in the past.

The Gowok: Javanese Kamasutra film also features the Indonesian history of the 1965, 30 September Movement of PKI, Partai Komunis Indonesia (Indonesian Communist Party). The greatest mass murder involved civilians suspected of affiliation with the PKI.

The film ended with the scene in the year of 1985, 20 years later. A young man with his sister is negotiating with a village's chief to buy Nyai Santi's abandoned mansion, which was left damaged after the 1965 event. The chief also said that the owner of the mansion, Nyai Santi, had died by suicide in the mansion during the event. The young man then asks his sister to call their mom in the car. A woman steps out of the car and is shown as adult Ratri, who wants to buy the mansion to build a school for women.

How I Coped Suffering From Bell's Palsy

September 28, 2025

Bell's Palsy
Image from Wikimedia

What is Bell's Palsy

Bell's palsy is named after the Scottish anatomist, Sir Charles Bell. Bell's palsy is associated with facial paralysis of unknown cause. A neurological disorder on one side of the face. In some rare cases it can occur on both sides of the face. Bell's palsy is a disorder affecting nerves that control muscles in the face that become injured or stop working properly.

Bell's palsy is common in people aged 15 to 40 years and make a spontaneous recovery within 3 to 4 weeks. Symptoms of Bell’s palsy include:

Paralysis on one side of the face.
A drooping eyebrow and mouth.
Drooling from one side of the mouth when talking, eating, or drinking.
Difficulty closing one eyelid, which makes the eyes dry.

Charles Bell
Image from Wikimedia

What are my experiences dealing with Bell's Palsy?

Since 2024 I have been working as a freelance contributor for a daily job. I worked mostly at night and slept in the morning. Most of my clients are at least 8 to 12 hours in a different timezone from mine. I usually went to bed at 3 or 6 AM in the morning and started to work again at 10 or 12 PM.

Tape
Image from Wikimedia

It was last August 21, 2025, when I felt strange on the right side of my face. I remembered that I ate 3 pieces of a very sweet tape, a traditional fermented cassava. It is not the usual tape that I used to eat. It is very sweet and well cooked. That day I went to bed at 4 AM and woke up at 11 AM. When I woke up from bed, my mouth was drooling so much that it wet my pillow. I washed my face in the bathroom, and the water was entering my right eye because I cannot close it. I asked my wife to take me to the clinic near my home.

Arriving at the emergency room, my blood pressure was checked. The nurse only said that my systolic blood pressure was 160, without mentioning what my diastolic was. The nurse asked me to go to see the doctor. Noticing that my systolic blood pressure was 160, she said to me that I had very high blood pressure. The doctor then asked me what I have been eating, what pain I have suffered, and what medication I have used.

I told her that I just ate tape last night. Since I had been suffering from influenza with a dry cough for weeks, I only took methylprednisolone as medication. The doctor argued, Why have you taken methylprednisolone since it is used only for inflammation? The dry cough had made my throat become inflamed, I answered. OK, then, she replied.

She then examined my face. She asked me to look at her pen and where she pointed her pen. Since your blood pressure is high, I'll prescribe some medication for you. But remember not to take methylprednisolone again. You should come back here to check your health in ten days, she said, ending the conversation.

Guess what? The doctor prescribed me a blood-lowering medication, vitamin B complex, and flu medication. All medications are expected to be consumed within ten days, as most are only 1 dose per day.

The flu medication, which consists of 500 mg of paracetamol, is supposed to be consumed 3 times a day. I stopped taking the flu medication on the next day after having 3 times the day before. I continued taking methylprednisolone with an added dose.

Before I had Bell's palsy, I only consumed methylprednisolone once a day. Now I'm having it 4 times a day and using the lower dose of 4 mg. After my blood-lowering medications were all consumed in 10 days, I didn't visit the doctor again. I continued the medication by taking methylprednisolone 4mg 4 times a day.

Methylprednisolone 4mg by Hexpharm Jaya

Why I haven't followed the doctor's orders?

At home, I asked my wife to check my blood pressure once more using my neighbor's digital tensiometer. When my wife checked my blood pressure twice on both my upper arms, it turned out my left arm was 135/96, while my right arm was 143/103. When at the hospital, the nurse checked my blood pressure on my left arm using a manual tensiometer, which is more accurate than a digital one. But the nurse forgot to mention what my diastolic was. She only told me that my systolic blood pressure was 160. I forgot to mention earlier that the doctor also asked me when the last time I checked my blood was and what the number was. I normally have 110/80 for my blood pressure, and it was 2019 the last time I checked during a medical checkup, I answered.

Later on that day, I studied a lot about Bell's palsy through Pubmed portal, my very reliable resources. What I learned from Pubmed's site became references for this article. What I have written here is what made me to not follow the doctor's orders.

Please don't take this as a medical advise, as this is just my point of view!

Personally, I think the doctor seems like just trying to sell me blood-lowering medications that I should consume for the rest of my life. For my consideration, the doctor from my point of view is just the same as a drug dealer.

The main point based on what I have learned from the PubMed website:

The exact cause of Bell’s palsy is unknown.
85% of people found improvement within 3 weeks and 3 to 5 months in the remaining 15%.
The inability to close the eyelid could lead to potential eye injury. You may find it hard to close your eyes while taking a shower.
Possible triggers of Bell's palsy may include:
- Viral infections, such as herpes or chickenpox. Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 has been detected in up to 50% of cases by some researchers.
- Low immunity due to stress, sleep deprivation, physical trauma, minor illness, or autoimmune syndromes.
- Infection or damage to a facial nerve that causes inflammation.
Not all patients with facial paralysis who enter the health care system have been diagnosed as having Bell's palsy.
Laboratory or imaging studies are not necessary.
Physicians should not prescribe oral antiviral therapy alone for patients with new-onset Bell's palsy.
Physicians may offer electrodiagnostic testing to Bell's palsy patients with complete facial paralysis or both sides of the face.
Surgery and electrical stimulation to treat facial paralysis are still being studied by scientists.
Corticosteroids, including methylprednisolone, a drug that can reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system, alone could improve the rate of recovery.

Warning!!!
Please don't take this as a medical advise! The first week was the hardest time for me. I'm still in my recovery for better improvement when I posted this article.

References: