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Viral Horrors: Seven Unsettling Pandemic Films and TV Shows

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Pandemic

Contagion. Pandemic. Virus. As Covid-19 aka the coronavirus makes its way around the globe, people have understandably become uncomfortable and worried about the far-reaching repercussions of the virus despite reassurances from the medical and scientific communities that basic precautions such as washing your hands and not touching your face will help slow its progress.

The fear of disease and contagion is an old one. The memory of the Black Plague, Spanish Influenza, and Smallpox encoded in our DNA lies dormant until news of a new contagion hits the airwaves and we watch as people flood stores, buying supplies just in case.

Naturally, during such times, films and television shows that deal with the subject become more popular.

For some, it is undoubtedly a morbid fascination with the subject matter, but there is certainly a case to be made that watching films that deal with seemingly real-life events have an ameliorating effect on the viewer. It allows us to tap into those fears, feel them, deal with them, and approach the paranoia with a certain amount of emotional detachment.

This is why so many of these films are made.

With that in mind, we decided to create a list of TV shows and films that have dealt with the subject. While some are highly unlikely, the effects are no less the same and unsurprisingly, many can be found on streaming platforms right now.

Take a look at the list of films and where to stream them below.

**Note: This list is in no way meant to make light of Covid-19 or those affected by it. Instead, it is a glimpse at how film has sought to deal with these themes over the last several decades. For more information on Covid-19, we urge you to visit the World Health Organization’s official website for more information.

Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak (Netflix with Subscription)

There was something eerily prescient about the timing of the release of Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak on Netflix. So much so that some conspiracy theorists have gone so far as to accuse the streaming giant of creating Covid-19 to promote the series.

Pandemic focuses on the doctors and scientists who constantly work to prevent these global outbreaks from occurring, and also shows their efforts to control, treat, and extinguish the spread of a contagion once it is on the move.

While there is certainly some “Hollywood” involved in the production, it is informative and can give viewers some insight into what might be going on right now behind the scenes.

Outbreak (Netflix with Subscription; Rent on Amazon, Fandango, Google Play, Redbox, AppleTV, and Vudu)

Outbreak hit theaters back in 1995 and left audiences stunned in its wake.

The film follows the outbreak of a deadly virus that finds its way into a town in California when a small spider monkey is released into the wild.

The film boasts an impressive cast including Dustin Hoffman (The Graduate), Rene Russo (Thor), Morgan Freeman (Seven), Cuba Gooding, Jr. (Jerry Maguire), Patrick Dempsey (Scream 3), and Donald Sutherland (Don’t Look Now), and is a heart-pounding thrill ride as the team races to stop the spread of infection before the government decides to end it using the most drastic of measures.

Contagion (Available to rent on Amazon, Redbox, Fandango Now, Vudu, Google Play, and Apple TV)

When Contagion was first released in 2011, it was hailed by scientists and doctors for doing its very best to present a fact-checked film that showed the devastating effects of a global pandemic and how such a disease would spread.

It all begins when a woman (Gwyneth Paltrow) returns from a business trip to Hong Kong only to fall ill with a deadly flu-like disease. She dies quickly and her young son follows her in death later the same day. Her husband (Matt Damon) is both baffled and heartbroken at the loss of his family and the discovery that he is somehow immune to the disease.

Soon more people have contracted the virus and as it spreads like wildfire, scientist, doctors, and the world government begins looking for a cure. What was most fascinating about the film is that it tracked the virus from its initial discovery all the way through to finding a treatment and even went so far as to show some of the aftermath.

Contagion is an emotional roller coaster of a movie and has seen a spike in popularity since Covid-19 surfaced earlier this year.

12 Monkeys (Showtime Anytime with subscription; Rent on Redbox, Sling, Fandango Now, Vudu, AppleTV, Google Play, and Amazon)

Bruce Willis plays James Cole, a convict from 2035 sent back in time to prevent a deadly man-made virus from wiping out over five billion people and turning Earth into an almost uninhabitable planet whose very atmosphere has become toxic.

Along the way, he finds himself institutionalized in the past and under the care of Dr. Kathryn Railly (Madeleine Stowe). He also meets the extremely disturbed Jeffrey Goines (Brad Pitt) who happens to the be the son of a world-renowned virologist (Christopher Plummer).

Soon, Cole finds himself searching out the mystery of an anarchic, animal rights group who call themselves the Army of the 12 Monkeys and only then does he begin to scratch the surface of the real conspiracy at play.

The Stand (Available on DVD & Blu Ray)

Of course any discussion of films and TV series that cover pandemics would be remiss without bringing up Stephen King’s The Stand.

Adapted into a miniseries in 1994 directed by Mick Garris, the series was bursting with talent including Gary Sinise (Forrest Gump), Ruby Dee (Do the Right Thing), Molly Ringwald (The Breakfast Club), Rob Lowe (The West Wing), and Matt Frewer (Watchmen) to name just a few.

The story unfolds as a manufactured virus escapes a military lab and soon spreads across the country and the world infecting and killing over 90 percent of the population. Those who remain so find themselves split into two camps in a showdown between good and evil to determine the fate of the world.

What has always been most fascinating to me about The Stand is that, for all its fantastic elements, it is a story about humanity and coming together to ultimately rebuild and try to do better in the wake of a terrifying event.

A new version of The Stand is currently filming as a limited series for CBS All Access.

Children of Men (STARZ with subscription; Available for rent on Redbox, Fandango Now, Sling, Vudu, AppleTV, and Amazon)

Although it’s never clearly stated in Children of Men why the human population suddenly lost its ability to reproduce, it isn’t hard to imagine the loss coming on the heels of some virus and its nasty side effects.

What is interesting in the case of this film, however, is that we are treated solely to the after effects of that catastrophe. We see the UK, one of the last standing governments, turned into a gritty, dirty police state where refugees fleeing war and plague are placed in camps and treated like vermin.

As society crumbles, a young woman emerges who is pregnant and she must be ushered to safety at all costs. The violence in this film is overwhelming at times with its almost newsreel style filming that adds a layer of realism to the plot.

The Andromeda Strain (Available to rent or buy on Sling, Vudu, AppleTV, Fandango Now, Google Play, and Amazon)

The pathogen in The Andromeda Strain comes, not from humans, but from outer space when a satellite lands near a town in New Mexico unleashing a deadly virus that could wipe out all of human existence if it isn’t stopped.

The film was nominated for two Oscars and hailed by scientists upon its release in 1971 for its factual portrayal of how pathogens are identified, contained, and eradicated.

Though it has been remade since, the 1971 version–adapted from the novel by Michael Crichton–is still the superior version of this film.

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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