Characterization of May

May is the main character of the short film “Viral” by Donald Broida. Based on her appearance, she is most likely in her thirties or forties. She has a son named Hayden, who lives with a foster parent after May overdosed while he was in her care. 

May is a recovering addict. The beginning of the film reveals that May has overdosed in front of her son (00:01-00:20), while the film’s ending shows that she accidentally became addicted to opioids after her emergency C-section (09:02-09:11). Since Hayden looks about six, May must secretly have been an addict for about six years.

When the Child Protective Services officer comes to check up on May, the film reveals that she is 128 days sober (02:11-02:17), meaning that she has not used any drugs. 

May is also in the process of sorting out her life, which is shown by her new living situation and by her ambition to remain sober. 

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