As a documentary this was okay. As a step back into adult videos this movie was awesome. There was a nice balance of fact, conjecture, and good ole gratuitous nudity to keep it interesting. After all, this was about porn. However, what this show was not about, was the description offered by Showtime and TMC. I quote from TMC "The porn addition epidemic is examined, including teenage cellphone users and an oil executive." There was absolutely no oil exec, no teenage cellphone use, or porn addition anywhere in the show. There was however a show about an epidemic, just not the one they described. The HIV epidemic in the porn industry was the main focus of this documentary, and the acknowledgment of patient zero, Marc Wallice.
8 Reviews
Insightful despite not a popular subject matter.
jordondave-280851 January 2024
(2018) Porndermic
DOCUMENTARY
Depicts the industry during the 1990's when HIV became an epidemic and became more of a serious problem than STD. And how the disease was able to be tracked, traced and located toward to one of it's own actors/ actresses. Conducted by former porn actress, Sharon Mitchell also employed for the screening by way of blood testing. We not only see interviews by people involve in the industry, but their reactions how some found out at the time the incurable disease may be one of their own.
Not too graphic in terms of nudity as it dwells much on interviews and the kind of detective work done on the possible culprit. We also find out how this one person is able to get away with it for so long, despite being in the industry for a very long time. The reactions both before and after and the result of this actor or actress currently doing. Insightful despite not a popular subject matter.
Depicts the industry during the 1990's when HIV became an epidemic and became more of a serious problem than STD. And how the disease was able to be tracked, traced and located toward to one of it's own actors/ actresses. Conducted by former porn actress, Sharon Mitchell also employed for the screening by way of blood testing. We not only see interviews by people involve in the industry, but their reactions how some found out at the time the incurable disease may be one of their own.
Not too graphic in terms of nudity as it dwells much on interviews and the kind of detective work done on the possible culprit. We also find out how this one person is able to get away with it for so long, despite being in the industry for a very long time. The reactions both before and after and the result of this actor or actress currently doing. Insightful despite not a popular subject matter.
First 25 mins was good, but then...
lv88827 December 2018
Good Start But Really Petered Out
he882 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I watched this on Showtime. Part of my disappointment is the description claimed it looked at the addiction aspect of porn. The beginning of the film was an interesting history of porn. It was obvious they were leading to the point when HIV hit the industry, but I assumed that was going to be dealt with and then moved on. Instead they spent maybe the next two thirds of the movie talking about "Patton Zero" and how everyone hated him. I had recorded it so I kept skipping ahead because the fil maker got stuck at this point and the movie was like wheels spinning in mud...It stopped moving foreword. I think from that point on the only people still interested in it would be those in the industry. Especially around the time this happened.
I considered giving less stars, but the beginning really was informative. Had he continued on that path and actually went into the addiction aspect as the movie info claimed it covered, then it might have been a movie worth recommending. As it is....Once you find who patient zero is and the anger towards him...You can shut it Dow any time. There's nothing new from that point.
I considered giving less stars, but the beginning really was informative. Had he continued on that path and actually went into the addiction aspect as the movie info claimed it covered, then it might have been a movie worth recommending. As it is....Once you find who patient zero is and the anger towards him...You can shut it Dow any time. There's nothing new from that point.
Shocking & Morose
nitro729 January 2019
Shocking & morose, this smartly edited, no-holds-barred doc peels back the onion that was the 1998 HIV breakout in the Adult Film Industry; contrary opinions & opposing recollections colour the search for "Patient Zero".
Don't Waste Your Time
tylerwoodrownichols7 August 2019
The entirety of this documentary could have been told in about 15 minutes, but it's awkwardly stretched into an hour and a half. After the first 20 minutes it becomes painfully repetitive, and it's got an atrocious soundtrack to boot. A lot of the 'industry insiders' who are interviewed are so dumb it's hard to sympathise with them, let alone view them as credible sources of information. You also have to question the ethics of the filmmakers for uncritically giving a platform to some idiot who openly claims that AIDS is a government conspiracy to kill off "undesirables". Very classy! Save yourself the trouble and simply read the Wikipedia article called, "STDs in the Porn Industry". This amateurish garbage isn't worth your valuable time.
Shocking, heartbreaking and crazy
Kerriecarlisle21 July 2019
An educational behind the scenes look at health concerns
tahbit1 October 2023
"Porndemic" (2018) is a powerful documentary capturing the 1998 HIV/AIDS outbreak within the adult film industry. The movie follows the stories of those affected by the outbreak, highlighting both the personal and industry-wide impacts.
At its core, the movie serves as a reminder of the responsibility of the industry towards its performers, and the resilience and strength of those affected by the outbreak. The filmmakers take a deep dive into the steps taken to protect performers, such as the implementation of mandatory testing protocols, the promotion of condom usage on set, and the establishment of industry organizations like the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation.
The outbreak had a profound impact on the industry, leading to a loss of trust and credibility. In response, the industry had to take steps to rebuild trust and credibility, such as implementing stricter testing protocols, improving transparency and communication with performers, and prioritizing performer safety and well-being. The filmmakers also focus on the importance of collaboration with industry organizations and healthcare professionals.
Throughout the movie, personal stories and experiences are woven in to create an even more compelling narrative. We hear testimonies of performers who contracted HIV/AIDS, narratives of support and solidarity among performers, accounts of the emotional and physical toll of the outbreak, and stories of resilience and activism within the industry.
Overall, "Porndemic" is an illuminating and thought-provoking piece of work, and a must-watch for anyone interested in learning more about the 1998 HIV/AIDS outbreak in the adult film industry. It is a poignant reminder of the importance of protecting performers and the need for the industry to take responsibility for their safety and well-being.
At its core, the movie serves as a reminder of the responsibility of the industry towards its performers, and the resilience and strength of those affected by the outbreak. The filmmakers take a deep dive into the steps taken to protect performers, such as the implementation of mandatory testing protocols, the promotion of condom usage on set, and the establishment of industry organizations like the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation.
The outbreak had a profound impact on the industry, leading to a loss of trust and credibility. In response, the industry had to take steps to rebuild trust and credibility, such as implementing stricter testing protocols, improving transparency and communication with performers, and prioritizing performer safety and well-being. The filmmakers also focus on the importance of collaboration with industry organizations and healthcare professionals.
Throughout the movie, personal stories and experiences are woven in to create an even more compelling narrative. We hear testimonies of performers who contracted HIV/AIDS, narratives of support and solidarity among performers, accounts of the emotional and physical toll of the outbreak, and stories of resilience and activism within the industry.
Overall, "Porndemic" is an illuminating and thought-provoking piece of work, and a must-watch for anyone interested in learning more about the 1998 HIV/AIDS outbreak in the adult film industry. It is a poignant reminder of the importance of protecting performers and the need for the industry to take responsibility for their safety and well-being.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
