Viral

After a devastating virus wipes out most of humanity, a young woman named Emma and her family hunker down behind closed doors and document life inside the new normal. Emma uses a video diary to track meals, loyalties, and the creeping fear that the world outside will never return to the way it was. As the days stretch into weeks, her sister begins to show symptoms that blur the line between infection and guardianship, turning the home into a fragile fortress where every decision could put a loved one at risk. The camera becomes a constant witness to hope, grief, and the ethical pressures that emerge when survival hinges on emotional trust and meticulous care.

Directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, Viral stems from a screenplay by Christopher Landon and Barbara Marshall. It blends drama with horror and science fiction, arriving in limited release in 2016.

Its box office performance was modest, with a worldwide gross around 551 thousand dollars, a figure reflective of a narrow release and a niche audience rather than broad mainstream appeal. Still the numbers place it among indie genre efforts that rely on word of mouth.

There are no widely reported major nominations or wins for Viral. The film did not break into the mainstream awards circuit, and most discussions focus on its atmosphere and performances rather than accolades.

Critics noted the claustrophobic tone, the ethical strain of caretaking under quarantine, and the film's use of a handheld diary format to heighten immediacy. Some praised the performances of Sofia Black-D'Elia and Lio Tipton; others found the pacing uneven and the script familiar. Thematically it asks how far a family will go to protect vulnerable members, and how fear can blur lines between responsibility and control. The virus serves as a backdrop for character study and the suture of trust and secrecy within a closed circle.