When considering Matt Damon, the occasional action hero and Hollywood star, one might not immediately envision him as the understated center of a gripping pandemic thriller. Yet, Damon indeed starred in such a film: the medical drama “Contagion.” This movie has recently gained traction on HBO Max, securing the sixth spot on the streaming platform’s top 10 list.
In contrast to other epidemic-themed films like “Outbreak” or “The Cassandra Crossing,” “Contagion,” directed by Steven Soderbergh, opts for a more grounded and realistic portrayal. The narrative focuses on the virus’s transmission between humans via respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces. Released in 2011, the film draws unsettling parallels to real-world outbreaks such as SARS and COVID-19.
The storyline traces the virus from its inception—following a woman back from a business trip in Hong Kong—to its evolution into a global crisis. It delves into the lives of conspiracy theorists, portrayed by Jude Law, diligent medical professionals like Laurence Fishburne’s character, and everyday individuals such as Damon’s Mitch Emhoff, who struggles with personal loss in a chaotic world. Although the film concludes with the development of a vaccine and a semblance of normalcy, neither its characters nor the audience remain unchanged.
Despite not being as memorable today as some contemporaries, “Contagion” performed well at the box office upon its release. It debuted at number one, surpassing “The Help,” with an opening weekend domestic gross of $23.1 million. Although it faced competition from a re-released “The Lion King,” it still achieved a respectable total of over $136 million worldwide, a solid return on its $60 million budget.
The film also received positive critical acclaim, boasting an 85% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In his three-star review, Roger Ebert remarked on the complexity of the virus’s behavior and the large ensemble cast, yet appreciated the film’s insights. He concluded with a timely reflection: “Yes, we must often wash our hands. Yes, ‘hand sanitizers’ are ubiquitous these days. Yes, shaking hands with strangers can be awkward—though they are no more likely to carry viruses than we are. Yes, there is really not much we can do.”
Contagion did surprisingly well when it hit movie screens worldwide
Warner Bros. Pictures
The scientific community commended the film for its accurate depiction of science in a cinematic context. Vaccination expert Paul Offit praised the movie in a Medscape article, noting that it did not compromise scientific facts for dramatic effect. This acknowledgment might explain why “Contagion” continues to resonate with audiences, delivering a stark and enduring message.
The movie did well with critics, too — it’s certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an 85% approval score. Roger Ebert noted in his three-star review that while the behavior of the virus seems confusing and some of the film’s sprawling cast could have been trimmed, he enjoyed the movie, ending his review on this pertinent note: “Yes, we must often wash our hands. Yes, ‘hand sanitizers’ are all over the place these days. Yes, shaking hands with strangers can be annoying — although they are no more likely to carry viruses than we are. Yes, there is really not much we can do.”
The scientific community also had some words of praise for Steven Soderbergh’s flick and its careful translation of science into cinematic reality. “Typically when movies take on science, they tend to sacrifice the science in favor of drama. That wasn’t true here,” vaccination expert Paul Offit said in a Medscape article. Quite a stamp of honor, and perhaps one reason why “Contagion” continues to spread its sobering, still-relevant message.
