Viral

If you want science fiction that respects its own premise, Viral is available in the US on Netflix right now. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 579 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Sofia Black-D'Elia's performance is the anchor the more ambitious scenes need. Start it on Netflix whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Viral is worth clearing space for. Viral treats its concept seriously enough to follow it all the way through. Following the outbreak of a virus that wipes out the majority of the human population, a young woman documents her family's new life in quarantine and tries to protect her infected sister. Sofia Black-D'Elia and Lio Tipton lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2016. Viral resists the temptation to explain everything, trusting the audience to sit with ambiguity. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Sci-fi fans who want ideas alongside the spectacle will find Viral genuinely rewarding. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Sofia Black-D'Elia grounds the bigger ideas in something human. Once you are in, you will want to talk about it.