RKS CANADIAN Film: “Gone Viral”: Never Take Candy from a Stranger

Didn’t your mother ever warn you never take candy from a stranger?

How about phishing warnings that if it’s too good to be true walk away?

Have you read the children’s story “Pied Piper”?

I wonder if in the beginning of the film if seemingly shallow minded influencer Nikki (Lilian Doucet-Roche) purveyor of anything and everything had not opened the package that was delivered to her front door containing three vials of Go-V juice and a recoded message stating that “we’ve” noticed your like count is low so try this Go-V juice and expect success.

Nikki’s friend Amelia (Felicia Simone) hosts a podcast about missing BIPOC’ers that have reached a dead end as far as police investigations go. With only 5,000 viewers to Nikki’s 300,000 she accepts Nikki’s invitation to visit Go-V’s head office. From that point on matters turn very chilling very quickly.

A thriller that is entertaining, provocative and slightly satirical about the quest for adoration and the price that may be paid to attain it. There are many Daniel Websters in the world but there is only one devil.

There may be an equally chilling undertone of racism.

Spot on acting. Imaginative writing by Kat Reynolds and Felicia Simone.

The film will be shown at an 11April2026 Gala Screening in Vancouver,

RKS CANADIAN Film Rating 86/100.

Crazy8s is an 8-day short filmmaking challenge and program that provides support and funding to emerging filmmakers to produce a short film and provides training opportunities to crew and cast. Each year, more than 100 teams apply to be part of Crazy8s.

Crazy8s is run by the Crazy8s Film Society, a registered British Columbia not-for-profit organization. Its mandate is to foster support for emerging and mid-career BC-based, Canadian short filmmakers who have limited access to resources or funding to produce professional-quality short-form content. Since 1999, Crazy8s has produced 151 short films that have gone on to win awards at film festivals worldwide.