Years before the true-life horrors of the pandemic, a film would be unleashed that explores the horrifying possibilities that come with a deadly outbreak, 2011’s Contagion.
Contagion meticulously depicts the rapid spread of a deadly virus. It highlights our world’s interconnectedness and society’s fragility in the face of such a threat. The film, written by Scott Z. Burns, was lauded for its realistic portrayal of disease outbreaks and its prescience in capturing the anxieties surrounding global health emergencies. A terror that became all too real when the COVID pandemic consumed the world.
First, let’s look at the film’s massive, award-winning cast featuring talents from stars such as Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburn, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, and Gweneth Paltrow. At the time of its making, this was, and mostly still is, a who’s who of Hollywood. The fact that Steven Soderbergh directed Contagion doesn’t hurt. He is the same filmmaker behind Traffic, Erin Brockovich, Sex, Lies, and Video Tapes, and Ocean’s Eleven. Need I say more? Soderbergh oversaw the film remastered himself.
The film follows several characters’ lives as the outbreak begins. It starts with Gweneth Paltrow’s character becoming sick. What starts as a vague feeling of jet lag quickly spirals into tragedy. Beth and her stepson, Clark, succumb to a mysterious and fatal illness within days. The grieving husband, Mitch, finds himself isolated but immune. At the same time, the world around him descends into chaos as the virus spreads rapidly, leaving medical professionals scrambling and society teetering on the brink of collapse.
As for the acting, many of the film’s stars give emotional, intense performances. You empathize with these characters, and after experiencing the pandemic ourselves, you can probably see yourself in them. The horrific events in the film feel real because they almost were. Luckily, society didn’t collapse like in the movie, but you could see it going that way. The film makes you think about how far you would go to survive.
Bonus Features:
This release also includes special features, such as “The Reality of Contagion,” “The Contagion Detectives,” and “Contagion – How a Virus Changes the World.” These featurettes offer fascinating insights into the making of the film, the science behind the pandemic, and the film’s impact on audiences.
Get Your Copy Now
Contagion preys on the unease and fears that society is just one step away, one disaster, away from collapsing. Even after 13 years, its story remains as relevant as ever. Its gripping story and relatable characters make it a must-see, a must-own. Luckily, you don’t have to wait; it has just been released on 4K Ultra HD for the first time. Get your copy now from Warner Bros.
