When a deadly, global pandemic shakes the foundation of civilization itself, doctors are left scrambling to uncover the mystery behind the destructive disease. Contagion, directed by Steven Soderbergh, focuses on the massive outbreak of an unknown disease leading to the death of millions, while simultaneously setting the stage for large-scale paranoia and chaos. We follow this strange and unfamiliar disease from its earliest of victims to its eventual worldwide takeover, bombarding every region of planet earth.
Our first look at this disease comes when we meet Beth Emhoff, a businesswoman returning to Minnesota after a work-related trip to Hong Kong. She experiences flu-like symptoms upon her arrival home but attributes her ailment to jet lag. Within the next couple of days, Beth has a seizure in her kitchen while accompanied by her husband, Mitch Emhoff, and dies shortly after in the hospital. The doctors are unable to identify the cause of Beth’s death, sending Mitch home without any logical explanation for his wife’s passing. After arriving home, Mitch is met by his frantic cleaning lady who is worried about the well-being of his son. His boy has passed as well, displaying the same symptoms as his wife. This is the beginning of a string of deaths stemming from identical symptoms, promptly raising concerns over the potential of a pernicious pandemic. And, as the number of cases has grown substantially around the globe, doctors and major health organizations set out to conquer this unidentified virus.
Members of the Department of Homeland Security believe the recent outbreak is being used as a bioweapon with the intent of causing panic over the Thanksgiving weekend. The DHS then meets with Dr. Ellis Cheever of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to warn him of this, and to encourage him to act immediately to prevent such a disaster from happening. Cheever then sends Dr. Erin Mears, an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer, to Minneapolis to investigate the disease where she traces the virus back to Beth Emhoff. Over the course of her investigation, Erin catches the virus and dies.
As the virus continues to spread numerous cities across the United States are placed under quarantine. Panic soon sets in as individuals take part in looting and acts of violence, leaving cities ravaged and broken. The CDC tries to keep the population at ease while being hit with the harsh reality that this virus will cause the death of millions. Dr. Ally Hextall has been working on experimental vaccinations throughout the course of the movie, and eventually finds success in one after injecting herself, then exposing herself to her sick father. She does not catch the virus. The global death toll reached about 26 million when the vaccine was finally distributed to the public.
Contagion is peculiarly similar to the situation we are all facing today regarding the coronavirus, or known as COVID-19. What started as a rather minuscule virus eventually explodes into a global pandemic, bringing death and insanity to the population. The virus in Contagion appears to be much more severe, but the initial cause of the virus seems to be the same, as well as the reaction from the public and major health organizations. Massive stay-at-home initiatives are enforced along with mandatory quarantines, just like we are seeing today to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. It may seem a bit frightening to watch at a time like this, but I believe Contagion can help us achieve a better understanding of how to remain safe and protected during these uncertain times.
I highly recommend checking it out, for it is a wonderful film with an intriguing and thought-provoking plot.
