Antiviral Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy gets celebrity herpes and it’s *somehow* a murder mystery.

🍿 Antiviral: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Syd March and the Celebrity Virus Trade

Syd March works at the Lucas Clinic, a company that sells injections of live viruses harvested from sick celebrities to obsessed fans. This allows fans to experience a biological connection, albeit a diseased one, with their idols. Syd also supplements his income by illegally smuggling these viruses out of the clinic in his own body, selling them to piracy groups on the black market.

Syd’s Infection and Hannah Geist’s Death

Syd becomes infected with the same disease that kills super-celebrity Hannah Geist. This infection turns him into a target, both for collectors wanting the valuable Geist virus and for rabid fans wanting to prevent its spread. He must now unravel the mystery surrounding Hannah’s death to save himself from sharing her fate.

Unraveling the Conspiracy

As Syd investigates Hannah’s death, he uncovers a conspiracy involving rival corporations and the dark side of celebrity culture. The deeper he digs, the more dangerous his situation becomes, forcing him to confront the ethical and moral implications of the virus trade. He must race against time as his condition worsens and his pursuers close in.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Syd March (Caleb Landry Jones): A clinic employee who smuggles celebrity viruses and becomes entangled in a deadly mystery after contracting a fatal illness.
• Hannah Geist (Sarah Gadon): A super sensation celebrity whose death triggers a dangerous investigation involving Syd.
• Dr. Abendroth (Malcolm McDowell): A doctor and celebrity worshipper.
• Edward Porris (Douglas Smith): A desperate young man.
• Topp (Salvatore Antonio): A mysterious figure involved in the black market for celebrity viruses.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dorian: “Anyone who is famous deserves to be famous. Celebrity is not an accomplishment. Not at all, it’s more like a collaboration that we choose to take part in. Celebrities are not people, they’re group hallucinations.” – This quote encapsulates the film’s cynical view of celebrity culture, suggesting fame is a collective illusion rather than earned achievement.

💰Box Office

• Budget: CA$3,200,000
• Domestic Gross: $15,443
• Worldwide Gross: $61,808

💥 Antiviral Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, ‘Antiviral’ messed with my head. I was squirming in my seat during the scenes with the injections and the celebrity meat. Caleb Landry Jones is creepily captivating, and the whole sterile, clinical aesthetic just adds to the unease. The scene where he’s hooked up to the virus-extracting machine genuinely made my stomach churn. It made me rethink celebrity culture and how far we let it go! It’s not a fun watch, but definitely makes you think.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dystopian science fiction”
  • “Viewers interested in films exploring themes of celebrity culture”
  • “Those who appreciate body horror with a satirical edge”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic depictions of blood and needles”
  • “Body horror elements”
  • “Disturbing themes of illness and obsession”

Professional Reviews

• ScreenRant: “Cronenberg’s dystopian future is a chilling commentary on celebrity obsession. The sterile visuals and Caleb Landry Jones’s unsettling performance create an immersive, if disturbing, experience. While the plot meanders at times, the film’s unique premise and thought-provoking themes make it a worthwhile watch for fans of body horror and sci-fi.
• CBR: “”Antiviral” explores the disturbing intersection of fame and consumerism. Its originality and artistic vision are strong. Caleb Landry Jones gives a fantastic, unsettling performance, and the movie stays with you after the credits roll. It’s an art film and won’t be for everyone, but if you appreciate something daring it delivers.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were fascinated by the unique and disturbing concept of celebrity worship taken to a biological extreme.: Most viewers praised Caleb Landry Jones’ performance as Syd March for its unsettling intensity and commitment.

Some really liked how the film portrayed body horror in its visual style and the way it handles the story.: I found it to be an unusual and unique kind of film and something I haven’t seen before.

Overall Consensus: A disturbing and thought-provoking film that explores the dark side of celebrity obsession with Cronenberg-esque visuals and themes. It’s not for everyone, but those who appreciate unique and unsettling cinema will find it rewarding.

Awards

1. Sitges Film Festival (Best Motion Picture)- 2012
2. Cannes Film Festival (Future Film Festival Digital Domain Award)- 2012

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Brandon Cronenberg, son of famed director David Cronenberg, drew inspiration for the film from a Sarah Michelle Gellar interview where she jokingly described fans cheering when she caught a cold.”
• “Caleb Landry Jones and Sarah Gadon intentionally avoided meeting or rehearsing together before filming their intense hotel room scene, aiming to enhance the on-screen separation between their characters.”
• “The film’s visual style emphasizes stark white environments to create a clinical, sterile atmosphere, reflecting the themes of manufactured celebrity and biological commodification.”

🖥️ How to Watch Antiviral?

Currently, ‘Antiviral’ is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Amazon Prime Video. Check your preferred streaming platform for availability and pricing, as these may vary. You can also find DVD and Blu-ray copies through online retailers for physical media collectors.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Antiviral, you might like these similar films:

• Videodrome (1983): Both films explore body horror, technology, and the media’s influence on reality.
• Possessor (2020): Another film by Brandon Cronenberg, exploring themes of body horror, identity, and technology’s invasive potential.
• Gattaca (1997): Explores a future where genetic engineering defines social status, touching on themes of bioethics and societal obsession with perfection.

🛒 Antiviral Related Products

• Antiviral [Blu-ray]: Own the unsettling vision of Brandon Cronenberg on Blu-ray, featuring high-definition picture and sound. A must-have for collectors of body horror and sci-fi cinema. Comes with special features for a behind-the-scenes look.
• The Fly (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: David Cronenberg’s masterpiece of body horror, now in a pristine Criterion Collection edition. Explore the themes that inspired his son, Brandon. Includes extensive bonus content and essays.
• Breaking Bad: The Complete Series: Featuring Caleb Landry Jones in a few episodes. A great TV series to watch with an amazing story.
• Celebrity Mugshot Shot Glasses (Set of 4): Unique shot glasses featuring famous celebrity mugshots. A darkly humorous conversation starter for fans of pop culture and weird memorabilia. Makes for a great gift.

🎧 Soundtrack

Antiviral features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Lucas Clinic” – performed by E.C. Woodley
• “Hannah Geist” – performed by E.C. Woodley

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Fans Compete to Get the Same Virus from Their Idol |ANTIVIRAL MOVIE EXPLAINED

Ever felt lost trying to understand the deeper meaning of ‘Antiviral’? This video breaks it all down! I found it super helpful in grasping the movie’s commentary on celebrity culture and consumerism – definitely worth a watch if you want to ‘get’ the film.

Antiviral Deleted Scenes

Curious about what didn’t make the final cut of ‘Antiviral’? Check out these deleted scenes! Some of them offer a totally different perspective on the characters. It’s wild to see what almost was!

✨ Rate