Widespread infectious outbreak on a global scale is a subject frequently explored by generations of writers and filmmakers. Whether these stories stem from science-fiction or science-fact, the theoretical and biological feasibility of such rampant and uncontrollable disease bring these fears frighteningly close to home. As plagues and epidemics have historically shown, mankind is at the mercy of nature’s ultimate plan. Now more than ever, such catastrophic pandemics are an all too real threat. The idea of an unseen, unstoppable and deadly force is particularly resonant in the current public consciousness. Here are ten films which will make you want to itch, scratch or bury your head in the sand.
A military satellite returning to earth crash-lands in Arizona, whereupon the entire local population are believed to be dead. Following government protocol, a team of scientists investigate the outbreak of a deadly extraterrestrial microorganism. Based on Michael Crichton’s novel of the same name and directed by Robert Wise, whose other science-fiction credits include The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951).
This is one such story set very much in reality. It concerns a rapidly spreading virus, transmitted by respiratory droplets as well as certain inanimate objects, and the attempts by medical researchers and officials to contain it. Based on actual epidemics of the late noughties, such as SARS and the later flu pandemic, Steven Soderbergh’s thriller is perhaps even more pertinent now in the wake of current events.
A speculative movie based on Richard Preston’s 1994 nonfiction book The Hot Zone. Virologist Dustin Hoffman leads a team of doctors and militia who travel to Zaire to investigate an outbreak of a fast-spreading Ebola-like virus causing deadly fever. Plot threads involving concealment of information and unethical, ill-advised mutation for biological warfare rear their ugly heads. Coincidentally, Wolfgang Petersen’s medical disaster was released while a real-life outbreak of Ebola was happening in Zaire.
A lone survivor of a global pandemic injects himself with an experimental cure before he fully succumbs to the plague. Once immune he spends most of his time battling zombie-like members of a death cult, known as ‘The Family’, which is hell bent on destroying all traces of the past. It is the second film adaptation of Richard Matheson’s 1954 post-apocalyptic novel I Am Legend.
A contagious ‘Rage’ virus (so named due to the effects it induces), is released into the populace via infected chimpanzees which have been recently liberated by a group of animal activists. They meant well, but their actions ultimately result in societal collapse followed by much carnage. Director Danny Boyle’s post-apocalyptic vision had a major impact on the horror genre at the time, sparking an interest and revival in zombie movies, and even crossing into the literary world with classic mash-ups such as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Seth Grahame-Smith’s 2009 parody novel.
A deadly disease wipes out almost the entire human population, forcing survivors to live underground. A convict is sent back in time to learn more about the man-made virus in order to assist scientists to come up with a vaccine. As one might expect from director Terry Gilliam, the visual aesthetic of this time traveling science-fiction adventure is outlandish and chock full of quirky inventions and concepts. Highly stylised and a lot of fun.
7. Side Effects (2013)
Following a supposed suicide attempt, a woman is prescribed experimental drugs by her psychiatrist. These do, however, cause side effects, some of which result in fatal consequences. But not all is as it seems, as we discover corporate corruption in amongst the pharmaceutical and psychiatric industries. A downbeat and insidious psychological thriller from director Steven Soderbergh.
8. Masque of the Red Death (1964)
A deadly plague (the Red Death) ravishes the land in medieval Italy. High on a mountain top the evil Satanist prince Prospero holds court from the safety of his lonely castle walls. The starving villagers’ anger towards him and his consorts grows, until he is finally faced by a horrific and fitting end. The film is one of several adaptions of stories by American writer Edgar Allan Poe, directed by Roger Corman.
In New York’s Central Park, people inexplicably start dying by mass suicide. At first, believed to be the result of an airborne bio-terrorist attack, the affliction then spreads rapidly across the northeastern United States. A high school teacher, along with his family and acquaintances, travels out of town in the hope of escaping the natural disaster. M Night Shyamalan’s apocalyptic drama, despite being a box office success, was less well-received by critics.
An army plane carrying a military bioweapon accidentally crash-lands in a small American town, infecting the water supply with a contagious virus that causes its victims to become insane, homicidal, and in the worst cases, die. A box office flop at the time, writer & director George A. Romero’s science-fiction horror has since become a cult classic, and was remade to greater acclaim in 2010.
Thomas is a musician, writer and film enthusiast with a broad taste in films, from Big Night to The Big Combo. When he isn’t immersed in these activities his passions extend to the kitchen and food.
