Summary

The short film “Viral” by Donald Broida begins with a mother named May overdosing in a grocery store while her small son is watching. A store clerk tries to help her. Meanwhile, a bystander captures the event on film and then uploads it online where it goes viral. 

The next time we meet May, we learn that she now lives alone in the house that her parents left her and is currently 128 days sober. She struggles with the aftermath of the video going viral, as people in the neighborhood recognize her and refuse to say hello to her. When the Child Protective Services officer comes to check up on her, May tells her that she has tried to find a job, but that she has been unsuccessful because potential employers look at the viral video.

One day, May goes grocery shopping and is recognized by a young man ...