In the age of COVID there’s a re-emergence of virus horror films (like it or lump it), and “Virus :32” is one of the many that’s unique. It’s unique in that it really wants to be considered a part of the “28 Days Later” canon, even lifting bars from the score track “In the House.” It’s not to say that “Virus :32” is a bad movie. It’s actually a very solid survival horror drama if you’re hungry for a good zombie picture and have nothing else at hand to watch.
Directed by Gustavo Hernandez, In Virus :32, a virus breaks out In the streets of Argentina and a chilling massacre rages through neighborhoods and flats at all corners. Those that are sick become raging violent hunters, and only calm their fever by killing all those not yet infected. Unaware of this, Iris (Paula Silva) and her daughter Tata spend the day in the sports club where Iris works as a security guard. When night falls, their fight for survival begins. Their only hope of salvation arrives when they discover that after each attack, the infected seem to inexplicably stop for 32 seconds of calm before attacking again.
For all intents and purposes, “Virus :32” is actually a decent time spent that thrives on teeth gnashing tension. It begins on a very high note, and ends on a high note, it just sags terribly in the middle. Much like a lot of outbreak and zombie films of its ilk, “Virus :32” begins with society seemingly falling apart at every turn building up to the inevitable bang that is the fight for survival. Silva is very good as a somewhat distant mother who is tasked with caring for her daughter Tata as she oversees a closed health club for the night. It’s not long before the infected are breaking in anxious to shed blood and Iris has to figure out how to get to Tata without being killed or infected.
Director Hernandez does a great job building on tension and suspense giving us a great overview of the abandoned health club. I wish we could have done more with the setting, but considering the ninety minute time run, director Hernandez makes it work. Watching Iris try to outwit the infected is absolutely terrifying to endure. And the odd habits of the infected don’t make us feel confident about her chances at all. Paula Silva does a good job of carrying the film as a resourceful woman willing to think on her feet to see her daughter. The narrative sags right in the middle when we meet Julius, a desperate father. The movie’s whole central premise falls by the wayside, missing the opportunity for some interesting exposition.
Why 32 seconds? What do scars have to do with the virus? Where did the virus originate? Is it really temporary? Are the infected dead or not? How does one contract this mysterious virus? In either case, despite offering little in clarity about the biological menace, Gustavo Hernandez delivers on some good scares, searing tension, and some genuinely tense cat and mouse moments within the confines of the club. It doesn’t re-invent the wheel for this sub-genre by any means, but it’s a solid horror entry if you’re in the mood for a good fright.
Premieres Exclusively on the Shudder Streaming Service, Thursday, April 21st in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.