Buzz
Real-world viruses and the ones Hollywood portrays couldn't be more different. In reality, viruses lead to harsh symptoms, but Hollywood's viruses tend to create mutant-zombie-vampires with anger problems. While real-life viruses can be managed with simple practices like handwashing and staying indoors, Hollywood's version often involves gunfights, explosive action, and sometimes even nuclear warfare. Real-life viruses might seem dull, but the ones in Hollywood are definitely far more exciting. So after you're done washing your hands, why not kick back and watch how the so-called experts deal with it?
10. The Omega Man, 1971
In this post-apocalyptic world, Charlton Heston stars as the last surviving human on Earth, one of the few left after a global pandemic triggered by biological warfare. Heston, a solitary research scientist, injects himself with a self-created vaccine that appears to work.
But the isolation of being the only remaining survivor begins to push Heston to the brink of madness, as he spends most of his days holed up in an apartment stacked with firearms. It’s a rather realistic portrayal of solitude.
When captured by the virus-infected mutants, known as The Family, instead of attacking him, they opt for a mock trial. The situation is becoming increasingly bizarre.
The leader of The Family is a former TV anchorman, portrayed by Anthony Zerbe, who gives off a disturbing Charles Manson-like aura.
The film also features some strange moments, such as unnecessary spear-throwing (especially since Heston’s apartment is packed with weapons) and a crucifixion scene.
Arguably the most unsettling aspect is the amount of time Charlton Heston spends shirtless, seemingly without any reason at all.
9. Blindness, 2008
Mark Ruffalo portrays a doctor who treats a man who suddenly loses his vision. The following day, Ruffalo himself becomes blind, leading him to deduce that the blindness must have spread due to some form of contagious disease.
The contagion spreads rapidly, causing an entire city to lose its sight in a single night.
However, Ruffalo’s wife, played by Julianne Moore, is the only one who retains her sight. To stay by her husband's side, she decides to feign blindness as well.
Blindness is a movie that explores the consequences of being entirely reliant on the goodwill of others, highlighting how easily civility breaks down when survival becomes a matter of self-interest.
8. Outbreak, 1995
Outbreak, a 1995 film, centers around an Ebola-like virus emerging in Zaire. It quickly became a hit, aided by its all-star cast and the eerie timing of its release, coinciding with an actual Ebola outbreak in Zaire.
The virus spreads due to a chain of improbable events, including a military cover-up, a smuggled monkey, its release into the wild, and a broken vial of infected blood that unleashes the virus with the same catastrophic force as Pandora's box.
With Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, and Morgan Freeman leading the cast, and supporting roles by Kevin Spacey, Donald Sutherland, and Cuba Gooding Jr., the film’s storyline might seem over the top, but the portrayal of denial by those in power is spot on.
7. I Am Legend
How do you cure cancer? It’s simple. Give it the measles.
Crazy? Maybe. Something’s off here, and the lack of a thorough drug trial seems like a key issue. Next thing we know, the measles outbreak decimates nearly the entire global population. Oops.
Don't panic. Will Smith, a former soldier-turned-virologist, is ready for action. When the measles turns his neighbors into mutant-zombie-vampires, he has the skills to battle them and find a cure, all while searching for other survivors unaffected by the virus.
Isolated with just his dog and some mannequins for company, Smith slowly begins to lose his grip on reality. He can't stop wondering if he's the last person alive. Could others still be out there? 'I Am Legend' was praised for its compelling story and Smith's performance, as well as the bond between him and his dog.
The mannequins, on the other hand, lacked any real personality.
6. The Andromeda Strain
The Andromeda Strain is based on Michael Crichton's novel, who was also a doctor before becoming a writer, giving him some insight into the world of viruses. When a satellite makes its return to Earth, it brings a microbe capable of causing blood to clot in the veins. Those who don't die immediately end up being driven to commit suicide.
NASA has its own procedure for dealing with alien microbes. This procedure, named Wildfire, calls for a specialized team of scientists to investigate the matter. Meanwhile, the military, as usual, prefers a more extreme solution – a nuclear strike. Isn’t that always their go-to answer?
The film highlights the tension between scientific reasoning and military action, illustrating the risks of implementing inflexible protocols in the face of the unknown.
5. Contagion, 2011
This film is particularly unsettling. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, Contagion delves into how viruses spread. It showcases the immense challenge of containing them and the devastating outcomes when they are left unchecked.
The movie has earned acclaim from scientists for its realistic depiction of the challenges faced during pandemics. With an ensemble cast, the film may serve as a diversion from the societal collapse unfolding on-screen. It captures everything – from politicians downplaying the severity of the outbreak, to fraudsters marketing quick-fix homeopathic remedies, and dedicated scientists working tirelessly to develop a vaccine.
Soderbergh mentioned his goal of creating an ‘ultra-realistic’ film that explores pandemics and their effects on societal structures. Mission accomplished.
4. 28 Days Later, 2003
When Cillian Murphy awakens from a coma after a month, the world he knew is no longer the same. He roams the empty streets of London, confused and searching for signs of life.
It turns out that an animal rights group unwittingly released a chimp infected with a highly contagious virus that induces uncontrollable rage. In the 28 days that Murphy was unconscious, society collapsed, leaving the world on the brink of destruction.
28 Days Later isn't a movie focused on viruses, per se. Rather, it explores what occurs when the fabric of society is torn apart and the typical norms are upended. It's a grim portrayal.
3. Death in Venice, 1971
Death In Venice stands apart from the others, not only as entertainment but as a piece of art. The film delivers a series of stunning visual sequences showcasing the beauty of Venice, one of the world's most picturesque cities. The narrative follows Gustav von Aschenbach, who seeks solace in Venice after a nervous breakdown, only to find the city plagued by a cholera outbreak.
Amidst his obsession with a young Polish boy staying at the same hotel and grappling with a mid-life crisis, Aschenbach is haunted by flashbacks of his deceased daughter and his past as a composer. The unraveling of his life leads to one of the most tragic and haunting conclusions in cinema. Director Luchino Visconti (also featured on the Top 10 Films About Economic Disaster You Really Need To Watch list for The Damned) proved himself an extraordinary visionary with this film's production.
The soundtrack, composed by Gustav Mahler, adds a layer of eerie beauty, blending serenity with haunting, breathtaking compositions.
Make sure to watch this movie first before any of the others on this list.
2. 12 Monkeys
What happens when a deadly virus wipes out most of the human race? Naturally, you create a time machine and send Bruce Willis from a bleak future to try to fix everything. Directed by Terry Gilliam, 12 Monkeys is sure to have a unique and offbeat twist.
Brad Pitt’s portrayal is undeniably eccentric. And so are the other residents of the mental institution where Bruce soon finds himself. Pitt’s performance earned him an Oscar nomination as an eco-terrorist with father issues and a touch of madness.
Ultimately, the film isn’t so much about a virus. It’s about Bruce Willis stepping in to save the world. Once more.
That’s always a blast to watch. However, it’s Terry Gilliam’s direction, with his signature dark humor, bizarre conclusions, and Brad Pitt’s unhinged performance that elevates this movie from just enjoyable to absolutely spectacular.
1. Train to Busan, 2016
For a virus outbreak film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Train to Busan is an excellent choice. This South Korean action-horror smashed audience records in Korea. Picture this: You’re on a packed train, and a woman boards at the last minute, looking quite sick. Barely has the train started moving when she transforms into a zombie-like creature and attacks a guard, who then also becomes infected.
And that’s not all. As you attempt to contain the infected passengers in one car, your train speeds past burning buildings and encounters more mutant zombies. Escaping seems futile. What do you do next?
Train to Busan has been hailed as ‘the best zombie film ever’ and played a significant role in boosting the global popularity of South Korean cinema. However, it likely didn’t do wonders for the nation’s train operators.
