Being the child of such a surreal and unique Filmmaker like David Cronenberg can cast a big shadow if you seek to do something creative. A challenge for anyone with a family member who has received a certain level of success in the arts, the dread of being called a product of nepotism often comes as a knee-jerk reaction. However, in the Cronenberg family, David’s children, daughter Caitlin Cronenberg and son Brandon Cronenberg, have something unique.
Looking at the two more closely, Caitlin made a significant impact in 2024 with her striking Horror Thriller Humane. On the other hand, Brandon blazed his own path with films like 2020’s Possessor and 2023’s impressive Infinity Pool. With a unique vision that stands out, let’s not forget Brandon Cronenberg’s feature debut from 2012, Antiviral.
A film in which Brandon Cronenberg acts as both the writer and director, Antiviral is anything but linear or straightforward, yet certainly has a profound message. Originally shown at film festivals such as the Toronto International Film Festival throughout 2012 and into 2013, it eventually found its way domestically to DVD in the summer of 2013. Nearly thirteen years after emerging to general audiences, Antiviral has gotten a brand new 4K release.
Put together by Severin Films and released on March 25, 2025, the new edition comes as a two-disc set (one UHD disc, one Blu-ray) and offers the most extensive edition of Antiviral ever. To begin with, you have the 4K scan from the 35mm protection internegative, which Brandon Cronenberg and Cinematographer Karim Hussain supervised. There are also three hours of never-before-released and archival special features, such as a making-of featurette, a look into the film’s restoration, and interviews that offer insight into what Brandon Cronenberg was trying to accomplish with Antiviral.
As mentioned, it is not a very straightforward feature; Antiviral has a lot lurking beneath the surface. Still, the subtle aspects of the film are clearly premeditated to design something that sticks within your psyche. In short, the story follows a jaded and disturbing world where people are so infatuated with celebrities that they would be willing to accept a virus from their DNA to be a part of them. Sick and twisted, this hard-to-believe story plans out a powerful social commentary about humanity and just how out of balance select people’s values have become warped by the stronghold of brainwashing media.
Brandon Cronenberg’s debut feature, a mix of Horror and Science Fiction, is highly ambitious, but it generally comes together quite nicely. Brought to life with a disturbing, leading performance by Caleb Landry Jones, the film also features a cast that includes Sarah Gadon and esteemed Actor Malcolm McDowell.
So, if you just happened to miss Antiviral, this world premiere as a 4K UHD set is a perfect way to look back on the film that started it all for Brandon Cronenberg. That is why Cryptic Rock gives this new Servin Films 4K UHD release of Antiviral 4 out of 5 stars.
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