After the COVID-19 pandemic, movies about viruses remind us of the horror experienced firsthand. This is the case with “Patient Zero,” which is currently ranking among the most-watched movies on Paramount+ worldwide.
What’s even more impressive about its high viewership is that it didn’t even have a proper theatrical run. Originally scheduled for release in September 2016, “Patient Zero” was postponed to February 2017, then ultimately pulled from theatrical release. The film was finally released through video-on-demand on August 14, 2018, with a limited trajectory in cinemas.
The movie was directed by Austrian filmmaker Stefan Ruzowitzky, renowned for creating “The Counterfeiters” and “The Inheritors.” The script was written by Mike Nguyen Le, known for his work on “River Wild.”
Paramount+: ‘Patient Zero’ occupies the Top 1 worldwide
“Patient Zero” was at the center of one of the most infamous bidding wars between studios for a horror script ever witnessed. Therefore, it’s not surprising to see it ranked as the #1 movie on Paramount+ worldwide.
It has managed to surpass “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” despite the latter being considered among the best animated movies of 2023. However, it’s highly likely that it will be overshadowed by “Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li,” which was a commercial failure upon its 2009 release but has become a streaming hit.
The plot revolves around a global pandemic that has transformed the majority of humanity into violent individuals known as “The Infected.” A group of doctors and military personnel embark on a mission to find the cure for the infection by locating patient zero.
The film stars Matt Smith, Natalie Dormer, and John Bradley, supported by Clive Standen, Colin McFarlane, Agyness Deyn, and Stanley Tucci.
Despite receiving unfavorable reviews from critics, the film has gained a cult following on video-on-demand platforms, often cited as one of the most entertaining commercial zombie films to date.
