It may feel like we’re living in an alternate reality. Here’s how the state of our world stacks up against imaginary ones.pand

Films about widespread viruses, plagues, and diseases used to be categorized as “horror” or “fantasy,” but they’re hitting a lot closer to home these days. While there hasn’t been a zombie invasion or an alien-borne pathogen (yet!!), COVID-19 has made us see pandemic movies in a whole new light. We took a look back at some standouts—yes, including Contagion—and compared those fictional universes to our own. Our conclusion? We either need a time machine or Brad Pitt to fix this. Or, you know, a vaccine could work too.

MEV-1, Contagion (2011)

Possibly the most realistic of the pandemic movie sub-genre, Contagion has become THE film of the moment, spurring more than its share of musings and think-pieces. At first, the movie reflected a worst-case scenario: a dangerous widespread disease, Gwyneth Paltrow dying. But, watching it now, it’s pretty striking how competent everyone is? I mean, the movie follows noble members of the government working tirelessly, taking every precaution, and coordinating with the WHO and CDC to eventually find (spoiler alert) a vaccine that saves mankind. Who would’ve though that Contagion would be the feel-good fantasy movie of 2020?

Solanum Virus, World War Z (2013)

The are seemingly infinite zombie apocalypse movies, but not all of those nightmare scenarios begin with a zombie virus pandemic. World War Z does, and it also stars Brad Pitt (definite bonus points). The actor plays a former United Nations investigator trudging through a zombie-filled, disease-laden landscape in search of a cure. (Nowadays, Pitt is currently portraying Dr. Anthony Fauci on Saturday Night Live, an equally heroic role indeed.)

Motaba, Outbreak (1995)

A movie that starts out following the spread of a deadly Ebola-like virus called Motaba unexpectedly turns into a search for one monkey (inexplicably named Betsy), the virus’ original host. While the WHO determined that COVID-19 originated in bats, I don’t think (hopefully) that anyone is hunting one specific bat. Poor Betsy.

Virus, The Cassandra Crossing (1976)

Strangers trapped on a train to nowhere? Check. Sophia Loren? Check. A deadly virus? Check. Swedish terrorists? Check. O.J. Simpson? Unfortunately, check. This movie features what may be most random assortment of themes, events, and people in existence. The only real similarities between The Cassandra Crossing and our current moment is the existence of a contagious virus and, perhaps, that the New York Times review declared the film “profoundly, offensively stupid,” a few adjectives that could certainly be ascribed to certain, um, public figures today.

Krippin Virus, I Am Legend (2007)

Will Smith walking through an isolated Manhattan and holding extended conversations with his German Shepard is (sadly) all too familiar. Will Smith running from cannibalistic mutants, infected by a virus originally engineered to cure cancer, less so. Not quite a pandemic movie and not quite a zombie movie, I Am Legend is most relatable for showcasing the first quarantine puppy.

Kalavirus, 12 Monkeys (1995)

Although our culture does have an odd fascination with pandemic monkeys, there are no actual monkeys in this movie. Instead, Bruce Willis fights the deadly Kalavirus through—you didn’t guess it—time travel! (If someone is in the past trying to stop COVID-19, can you please pick up the pace?) 12 Monkeys also features the line “Science isn’t an exact science,” which definitely couldn’t be re-appropriated in a dangerous way today or anything.

Mad Zombie Disease, Zombieland (2009)

For some levity, we recommend this “zom-com” featuring an unlikely bromance between Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg. A “Mad Zombie Disease” spreads across the United States, turning Americans into zombies—but the most unrealistic part of the movie is actually that Purell is still readily available.

Andromeda, The Andromeda Strain (1971)

Moving on from the zombie pandemic, we now present the alien pandemic. In The Andromeda Strain, an alien organism travels to Earth on a crashed satellite and infects Americans. While it may seem like COVID-19 came from nowhere, it didn’t actually, you know, fall out of the sky. However, when the movie was released, the Infectious Diseases Society of America called it the “most significant, scientifically accurate, and prototypic of all films of this [killer virus] genre,” so there’s that.

Flare Virus, The Maze Runner series (2014)

In this dystopian YA series, based on best-selling books, the Flare Virus devastates mankind and it’s up to the young, hunky Dylan O’Brien to save the world. Which he must do by figuring out a glorified corn maze. Effie from Skins is also there, though, so it’s not all bad.

The Plague, Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

While not exactly a pandemic movie, Monty Python and the Holy Grail certainly showcases the bubonic plague. Its dark humor may seem even darker nowadays, but the famed “bring out your dead” scene still stirs up a chuckle. “I can’t take him like that, it’s against regulations,” says a coroner, referencing a man yelping, “I’m not dead! I feel happy!”

This content was found at https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/g32419194/pandemic-movies/