
Contagious
When cholera-tainted shrimp from Mexico is served to people on a Los Angeles-bound plane, an outbreak ensues and a doctor sets out to find and contain the source before it turns into an epidemic.
Insights
Plot Summary
A deadly, airborne virus spreads across the globe with terrifying speed, leaving doctors and scientists racing against time to understand its origins and develop a cure. As society descends into chaos and fear, ordinary people struggle to survive amidst misinformation, social breakdown, and the constant threat of infection.
Critical Reception
Contagion received widespread critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of a pandemic, its ensemble cast, and its chillingly plausible narrative. Critics praised Soderbergh's direction and the film's scientific accuracy, noting its prescience and effectiveness as a thriller. Audiences were similarly impressed by its tension and grounded approach to a global health crisis.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its chillingly realistic and prescient depiction of a global pandemic.
- Commended for its strong ensemble cast and Soderbergh's detached, observational direction.
- Noted for its effective suspense and grounded, scientific approach to a catastrophic event.
Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's realistic and suspenseful portrayal of a pandemic, highlighting its relevance and effective storytelling. Some found it to be a bit bleak, but overwhelmingly, viewers found it to be a thought-provoking and well-made thriller.
Fun Fact
Director Steven Soderbergh consulted with numerous epidemiologists and the CDC to ensure the scientific accuracy of the film's depiction of a pandemic.
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