While everyone is trying to get a hold of the disturbingly gruesome Tawainese zombie movie “The Sadness” ahead of its May 2022 release date, Mother of Movies took to the more subdued title, Virus-32. A Latin American apocalyptic horror story in a similar vein, Virus-32 releases on the Shudder platform as well, dropping on the 21st of April 2022. Not nearly as controversial as The Sadness, director Gustavo Hernández spins a more typical yarn. This time about a rage-filled sickness that causes outbursts of violence. Then the infected take a short nap. These zombies need to recuperate for 32 seconds before they can recommence bashing and stomping things.

Virus-32 never explains the dawn of this mysterious illness. Instead, it opts to open as the disease has already spread throughout the city. Iris (Paula Silva) has just started a new job, working in a large sports complex. Rusty locker rooms, a dirty-looking pool, and a basement complete with an incinerator are all part of the setup. The building also houses extensive surveillance, and Iris could check at a glance which parts might need to be overseen.

Zombie Movies in Abandoned Buildings

There was much about the building that looked as though it had been abandoned. What’s more, is that when Iris sneaks her 8-year-old daughter in she leaves her in a room complete with puddles on the floor while she commences her night shift checks. Why sit in the room with the cameras when you can roam around in the dark while your daughter waits suspiciously behind in an empty room with puddles?

Despite some very dubious plot devices, the action kicks off early on as those infected with Virus-32 begin to spread their rage around the city. Sooner rather than later the building Iris and her daughter Tata are in becomes host to a couple of bloodied, sneaky, and fast movie zombies. Those without the tolerance for animals as props in horror should probably steer clear of one particularly nasty scene involving the building’s little cat. In most films, scenarios like these are performed off-screen. Virus-32 holds nothing back in this instance and instead opts for a rather cruel example of exactly what these zombies are capable of.

Plot Devices

Later when a man and his pregnant wife are introduced there is a lot of anxiety built up as to whether a newborn might receive the same treatment as the cat. Those who want to know ahead of time the fate of the baby and the cat can check the spoiler section at the end of this Virus-32 review.

Without spoiling the details of the Virus-32 movie, what the writers do well is within the scope of creating an atmosphere drenched in terror. There is also enough detail given to lead characters brought in to find someone to like or hate, whatever the case may be.

Performances are pretty good with Silva’s Iris being a particularly solid and likable anti-hero for the narrative.

The Virus 32 movie is rated

2.5 Smoke bomb-filled pools out of 5

Mother of Movies score

Full Horror Movie Trailer for Virus 32

Where to Watch Virus 32

The Latest From Latin American Horror was directed by Maestro Gustavo Hernandez. His previous films include THE SILENT HOUSE AND YOU SHALL NOT SLEEP. You can watch the zombie movie for free with a subscription on the Shudder platform from April 21, 2022. Virus 32 was acquired as a screener for review purposes.

Virus 32 cast includes Daniel Hendler (Lost Embrace) as Luis and Paula Silva (In the Quarry) as Iris.

Explained – Virus-32

Virus 32 Spoiler Section

Does the cat die in Virus-32?

Yes, the cat dies a horrible death. As the sports complex cat starts to run toward Iris as she hides under a desk one of the infected grabs it. He smashes the cat into the ground for about half a minute and the entire killing is on screen.

Does the newborn baby die in Virus-32?

The baby is given to its mother Mimi shortly after being born. The baby is confirmed to be unaffected but Luis (David Hendler) wants his son to have skin-to-skin contact. The lights go out and in the next scene, we see Mimi holding the baby. Before she gets the chance to kill her infant son, Raul, Luis shoots her in the head. Later in the final moment of the zombie movie, Iris again finds Luis as he lies dying and promises him she will look after his son. At the end of Virus 32, the camera pans to a city in ruin as the zombie in the pool thought to have drowned wakes up. This conclusion points to a possible sequel for Virus 32 because the ports Iris and her daughter are headed to are already under siege.