“We Want the Virus†is the latest film from Paul Santoli and A 516 Productions. Santoli’s previous effort, “Because of Mika,†was a sweet and emotional journey of a man, the ghost of a deceased dog, and healing for all parties involved. “We Want the Virus,†contrarily, positions itself as a slapstick comedy about, all things, Covid-19. The film was released in 2026 but centers on 2021 — when Covid was a present threat and the fear of it was real. Struggling actors are always, well, struggling. And when Adam and Greg lose their jobs (Paul Santoli and Cody Schultz, respectively), a post about a man who got $50K on a Go Fund Me-type page leads our wayward duo to pretend to have Covid. They make $22,000 overnight. But there’s one catch: they have to provide a positive test result to collect.Â
 Santoli (who directs and co-writes, along with writer Daniel Gualajara) have made a decidedly semi-raunchy comedy this time, using Adam and Greg’s predicament for laughs while also commenting on the hysteria that Covid-19 caused at the time. A running gag throughout is to have the pair try and contract Covid. Yet the film’s funniest bits are the ways they wear their mask (below their chin, on their elbow, etc.) that are clearly trolling people who pretended to comply while flaunting their disobedience. But “We Want the Virus†also shows a deep bond between Adam and Greg. When the owner of Go Fund Yasself tells them jail time might become an issue if they are fraudsters, the two scramble to avoid getting caught while supporting each other throughout.
A Pair Trying to Get Covid-19?
What works about “We Want the Virus†is both Santoli and Gualajara’s portrayal of the insanity that the pandemic caused — while turning it humorous — and self-deprecating takedowns of struggling actors. Yet this latter bit is not a joke to Santoli, who injects the right amount of heart into following your dreams while rejecting the 9-to-5 sentence that looms before him should he fail. A scene where Adam pours his heart out to a beautiful woman he meets at a bar (Elisabeth Montanaro) is one of the film’s strongest bits. Santoli is gifted in the romantic meet-cute (“Because of Mika†proves this), and the director’s use of symbolism throughout is noted. Adam and Greg drive through Beverly Hills, look upwards towards the Hollywood sign, and ogle fancy sports cars and the good life.
Yet “We Want the Virus†is frequently laugh-out-loud funny, especially at the hands of Schultz and Santoli. Santoli offers himself up on the altar of parody here (he’s the one tasked with contracting Covid), while Schultz is his wingman and the one with drive. A series of humorous scenes as Adam attempts to get Covid line the middle section of the film. Homeless people sneeze on him, he stands too close to sick people in the pharmacy, and he even pretends to be a nurse in a hospital to get close to possible cases. The film’s funniest bits were the obvious ways to not get Covid Adam attempts, such as licking telephone poles, eating used chewing gum off the bottom of benches, and violating the 6-feet ordinance for most of the film’s run.Â
A True Buddy Comedy
Under it all, though, “We Want the Virus†is a buddy comedy, and Santoli and Schultz have great chemistry. Schultz impressed me with his acting. He’s effortless and commanding. With little in his acting resume aside one episode of “Orange is the New Black,†he’s a force to be reckoned with. I hope great things come for him. Aside him, Santoli carries his scenes well. While not as effortless as Schultz at the film’s slapstick moments, he brings a heart to the film that is his true gift. Together the two make a good pair. I’d like to see them together again. And, adding in Montenaro (who excels at facial acting throughout) there’s a likability to “We Want the Virus†that is palpable.Â
That’s not to say “We Want the Virus†is without fault. The script is somewhat zany, and it’s clear that Santoli and Gualajara are trying to fit in as many comic elements as possible. Adam and Greg get into situations and trouble, and the film’s climax — featuring a showdown with the owner of Go Fund Yasself (Amy Lyndon) — I found a bit much. The film runs an hour and 21 mins; and the ending scene is so good — our heroes are literally pushing a car uphill — I feel a bit could have been cut with no real damage to the movie throughout. Yet I feel here Santoli is trying to present a brand. His 4th wall breaks and introspective comedy are what made “Because of Mika†work. And seeing as a new film in the pipeline (“The 5 Day Movieâ€) shares a similar log line to “We Want the Virus,†it’s safe to say the director is still feeling himself out.Â
Satirical and Apropos
All-in-all, “We Want the Virus†is a funny film. It lags in places, goes too slapstick when it needed heart, yet ends in a spirited way that earns its place. Schultz and Santoli entertain throughout and the film’s satire — intended or not — hit their marks. And at its underbelly, it’s a decidedly LA movie. It underlines the quest for creatives to make it. Santoli starts the film dreaming of success and ends it reassessing what that means. If anything, the film‚ funny, self-deprecating, and apropos, is an anthem to support indie filmmakers. Few are as honest as Santoli in expressing this need. But it makes his film all the better for it.Â
“We Want the Virus” is available to stream for free on YouTube and Pickrelay.com.
