The story follows a simple but effective formula which can be seen in Mimic , Relic , Alien Resurrection , Leviathan , and a host of others. An evil force is discovered by an unsuspecting crew in a closed claustrophobic environment such as a sewer tunnel, ocean ship, or space ship. The surrounding underground, space or chaotic ocean waters make the situation even more intense by providing no way of escape. The chaotic monster or evil must be dealt with. The heroes are always innocent and seemingly helpless to save themselves from their impending doom.
Salvation comes from an interesting turn of events or realizations made during attempts to survive.
This formula is so effective that it will be with us for a long time to come. In Virus there is an interesting twist to the formula. The Alien force in a closed environment encounters what it believes is a monster. We are the evil virus that must be eliminated. And, of course, vice versa.