We Want the Virus

We Want the Virus follows two lifelong friends and struggling actors, Adam (Paul Santoli) and Greg (Cody Schultz), as they wake up and realise they raised 22,000 dollars by falsely claiming they had the Coronavirus through a fundraiser. They must go to extreme lengths to get a positive COVID test in 48 hours and collect their cash prize. The piece is a feature-length independent comedy with an incredibly minimal budget made by a team of 12 people.

We Want the Virus employs an incredibly absurd narrative while never losing sight of its character-driven focus. Both Adam and Greg are endearing, likeable characters who do whatever they can to hustle and get a positive COVID test within a 48-hour window, making their increasingly inventive schemes a pleasure to watch. The piece never takes itself too seriously and balances its comedic and dramatic tone exceptionally well. It feels like a love letter to LA with its Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) homage and clear love for filmmaking without ever feeling overly self-indulgent. Its uplifting and feel-good spirit also helps, as both characters' sentimentality is the driving force of the narrative and one of the reasons it works so well.

The narrative is suitably paced without ever overstaying its welcome thanks to the litany of characters introduced throughout. Each character in the ensemble feels naturally woven into the narrative, adding to the absurdity of Adam and Greg’s increasingly outlandish actions. While the second half of the narrative meanders as both central characters work through a variety of schemes, the montage sequences are well executed, and the piece maintains its energetic and uplifting tone. The coming-of-age elements are particularly effective, while the chemistry among the ensemble grounds the narrative's central ideas and themes.

The camerawork is exceptional throughout. Most of the piece relies on wide framing, shifting to close-ups during intimate, dialogue-heavy moments. It's an apt choice, as the tighter framing allows each performance to shine. The music is equally creative throughout, incorporating synthwave motifs in the final third while adopting a more understated tone during the quieter moments of character interaction. Despite how incredibly silly and absurd the narrative is, the direction and technical elements keep the piece compelling. Given the film's minimalist team and budget, it’s astounding what was accomplished with the limited resources they had. Despite how over-convoluted the final stretch feels, it wraps up satisfyingly.

Both central performances from Paul Santoli and Cody Schultz in their portrayals of Adam and Greg, respectively, are endearing thanks to their uplifting chemistry throughout. The 81-minute runtime allows for their character arcs to develop, and both performances convey their struggles and personalities profoundly. It's compelling to watch Adam and Greg attempt to find their way out of the central conflict, and the performances shine through each sequence. The supporting players are also incredibly memorable and add to the charm of the piece.

We Want the Virus is a heartfelt buddy comedy crafted with uplifting intent by a group of individuals who love Hollywood and filmmaking. Held together by two terrific lead performances and a memorable ensemble, We Want the Virus is a fun ride that makes profound use of its absurd narrative.