We Want the Virus Review: Lighthearted and Amusing!

There is something inherently enjoyable about a good buddy comedy. When the goal is simply to have fun with two likable characters, a straightforward premise, and enough ridiculous situations to keep things moving, the film doesn’t necessarily need to reinvent the genre. We Want the Virus, directed by Paul Santoli, understands that perfectly. It is a lighthearted, absurd comedy that knows what kind of experience it wants to provide, and for the most part and the better part of 85 minutes, it delivers exactly that.

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The premise is probably the film’s biggest strength because of how simple yet unusual it is. Two broke, out-of-work actors, Adam and Greg, create a fundraiser claiming that one of them have COVID-19 and somehow end up raising $22,000. The problem? They now have to prove that their story is legitimate. What follows is their desperate attempt to make their own scam believable. It is a ridiculous setup, but the film doesn’t overcomplicate it. Instead, it uses the simplicity of the situation to create one absurd predicament after another.

With a premise this straightforward, the characters have to carry the movie, and fortunately, they are both extremely likable. Paul Santoli as Adam and Cody Schultz as Greg have the kind of chemistry that makes their scenes work even when the comedy isn’t necessarily laugh-out-loud funny. Greg is completely committed to making their ridiculous plan succeed, while Adam is the more hesitant one, constantly questioning the risks and morality of what they’re doing and how they’re doing it.

That contrast creates a natural love-hate dynamic between them, and their friendship becomes the real engine of the film. What I appreciated most is that the movie doesn’t desperately try to make every scene into a huge comedic set piece. Instead, it settles into a relaxed, easygoing rhythm. It is the kind of comedy you can simply sit back and enjoy without needing every scene to land perfectly.

The three-act structure is also clearly defined. The first act establishes Adam, Greg and their increasingly desperate financial situation, while the second puts them through a series of increasingly ridiculous obstacles as they attempt to keep their story alive. The third act, however, is where I felt the film lost some momentum. The storyline involving Amy Lyndon’s Tina introduces a tonal shift that doesn’t completely blend with the easygoing buddy-comedy atmosphere established earlier. It isn’t necessarily a bad direction for the story, but it feels less organically connected to what came before and makes the payoff somewhat weaker than it could have been.

The performances nevertheless remain consistently engaging. Santoli and Schultz are the heart of the movie, and both bring enough personality, comic timing and natural chemistry to make Adam and Greg believable as lifelong friends. Furthermore, Amy Lyndon as Tina makes the most of her role, while Elisabeth Montanaro brings a decent presence as Melanie.

Technically, We Want the Virus is perfectly serviceable. The micro-budget limitations are visible in places, particularly in the visual polish, but the filmmaking never becomes distracting. The cinematography keeps the story moving, the editing maintains the comedic rhythm, and the background score supports the tone without overpowering it. For a production made with such limited resources, the film does a good job of prioritizing what matters most: its characters and their interactions.

All in all, We Want the Virus works because it doesn’t pretend to be more complicated than it is. It takes a bizarre premise, puts two entertaining friends at its center, and lets their chemistry carry the comedy. The third act could have delivered a stronger payoff, but the journey itself is consistently light, amusing and easy to watch. For anyone looking for a simple buddy comedy to unwind with, this is a fun enough ride, and sometimes, that’s exactly what you want from a movie. Make sure to follow on Instagram the production house, A 516 Productions, and Paul Santoli on Instagram for more updates.

‘We Want the Virus (2026)’ Rating – 3.75/5

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