Viral (2016) - Tip: Just watch the final act

'Viral' is a 2016 horror-thriller that, despite not technically being a zombie film, adheres closely to the genre’s familiar tropes.  Instead of the undead we have the more ('28 Days Later' style) 'infected' who can run and chase down our helpless human teens.  This time it's a worm-like parasitic outbreak which can take over the host and make them basically behave like a zombie.

The story follows two sisters trying to survive in their small suburban town which is slowly succumbing to the infection. The movie ticks off all the standard elements: quarantine zones, escalating paranoia, infected friends and neighbours and, finally, the gradual breakdown of society.  The biggest drawback, however, is that 'Viral' takes its time getting going when it comes to the action. The first two-thirds are light on tension, with sparse sightings of the infected.  This keeps the horror at bay but also slows down the pacing. Instead of ramping up the dread, it feels like the movie is treading water, making it hard to stay invested in the film (yes, I wanted to check my social media on my phone many a time during the first hour!).

The final act does pick things up, bringing in more action, confrontation and a few decent enough scenes of horror.  But. by then, it feels like a case of too little, too late.  Although 'Viral' does have its moments and is reasonably well-shot, the slow build-up dampens the impact of what could have been a more gripping story. 

5/10