10 Films About Pandemics that Give an Idea of How a Virus Can Spread Widely

Kapanlagi.com - No one ever imagined that entering the year 2020, the world would be facing the spread of COVID-19, which has now become a pandemic. Indeed, news about the spread of this virus has been heard since December 2019 in Wuhan, People's Republic of China. But, surely you never expected that this virus would spread so quickly and widely in less than 6 months.

Social distancing and self-quarantine have been implemented in Indonesia for a month now. Until now, the number of positive cases infected with COVID-19 is still very high, more than 4,000 cases. For those who have no background in the field of health, they must be wondering how a virus can spread to become a pandemic.

While in self-quarantine and working from home, it doesn't hurt to increase knowledge about the idea of how a virus can spread widely. If you want a more enjoyable way, just watch Hollywood films with a virus outbreak theme. Not to make you panic in the midst of a pandemic, but this series of films can give an idea of how a virus can spread widely and what appropriate measures can be taken.

1. The Crazies (1973)

©Imdb

Old but still provides an insight into the spread of a virus that adds to your knowledge. Directed by George A. Romero, this film tells the story of a military plane carrying a biological weapon that has not undergone testing. Then, an unexpected accident occurs causing the plane to crash near a town. Due to this accident, the water source in the town becomes contaminated and one by one the local residents die from an undetected disease.

The government then deploys military forces to stop the spread of the disease by instructing them to shoot anyone they see. Although made on a low budget, this film provides an insight into how a virus can become a terrifying health terror.

2. The Cassandra Crossing (1976)

Released in 1976, this film starring Sophia Loren, Richard Harris, Ava Gardner, and Martin Sheen tells the story of the terror caused by a Swiss man on a European train. It's not just a hijacking terror, as the terrorist is actually infected with a deadly pathogenic bacteria that also has the potential to infect other passengers on the train. The film becomes even more intense as the train crosses an unstable bridge, but no one is allowed to leave the train.

3. Twelve Monkey (1995)

Film science fiction starring Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt has a unique plot. It tells the story of a mysterious virus intentionally spread by a group known as the Army of Twelve Monkey in 1996. This virus almost wiped out the human population at that time. In 2035, a prisoner named James Cole is chosen for a time machine project, where he will be sent back to 1996 to find the origin of the virus and help scientists find the right cure.

Unfortunately, this time machine project goes wrong. Cole ends up 'stranded' in 1990 and is detained in a mental hospital after being diagnosed by Dr. Kathryn Railly. At that time, no one believes him until he is teleported back to 2035. Cole still continues his plan and returns to 1996, where he meets Dr. Railly again, who eventually starts to believe that Cole's words are true.

4. Outbreak (1995)

© Hollywood Reporter

It can be said that OUTBREAK is one of the best Hollywood films that tells the story of a pandemic. The film tells the story of a mysterious outbreak called Motaba that originated from a monkey in South Africa. The disease, initially resembling influenza, is deadly and spreads rapidly, causing a city to experience critical conditions.

A global spread threat emerges after a high number of cases with similar symptoms causing death are reported.
The CDC and WHO teams work together to find a vaccine for the virus, which turns out to be not an easy task. In fact, the military makes the decision to destroy an entire city to prevent the spread of the virus. Starring Dustin Hoffman, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Rene Russo, watching OUTBREAK seems relevant to the current situation.

5. Black Death (2010)

Outbreaks not only occur in modern times. In the past, there was also a pandemic that killed nearly 60% of the European population, known as The Black Death. This pandemic later inspired the film titled BLACK DEATH starring Sean Bean and Eddie Redmayne.

Taking the story of the classic plague in the 14th century, the film's plot tells the story of a group of knights traveling during the Black Death pandemic. The film emphasizes the devastating impact of the plague, which was still associated with witchcraft and black magic at that time.

6. Contagion (2011)

© Warner Bross

Upon reflection, this is the film that comes closest to the COVID-19 pandemic currently being faced. CONTAGION tells the story of a woman who has just completed a business trip in Hong Kong, suddenly experiencing severe seizures and being rushed to the hospital. She then dies from an unidentified disease. Her husband then undergoes tests to determine the possibility of being infected, but he is later confirmed to be immune to the virus.

After the first patient's case, there is concern from the CDC that the virus may be a biological weapon deliberately spread before Thanksgiving. Experts from various global health organizations work hard to find a vaccine for this virus, including tracking down anyone who had contact with the first patient. Starring Marion Cottilard, Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Gwyneth Paltrow, this film can be a suitable watch during social distancing at home.

7. Deranged (2012)

This South Korean production film tells the story of an outbreak caused by mutated parasites. The outbreak was detected when one by one, bodies were found floating in the Han River. Upon examination, it turned out that the deaths were caused by mutated parasites that caused extreme hunger and thirst symptoms for those infected. The city experiences chaos due to public panic and the high spread rate of the outbreak.

8. The Flu (2013)

Another South Korean production film that tells the story of a pandemic. THE FLU highlights the spread of the H5N1 virus in the country through a group of illegal immigrants. They were smuggled into South Korea in a container. It turns out that one of the immigrants is a carrier of a dangerous and deadly virus. When the container is opened, the other immigrants are found dead and only one person survives, the carrier of the virus itself.

This film depicts how the virus spreads rapidly. Within 36 hours, thousands of people are already infected with the life-threatening virus. Starring Soo Ae and Jang Hyuk, this film shows what chaos ensues when facing a deadly outbreak and racing against time to find the cure.

9. It Comes at Night (2017)

This film explores the horror mystery genre, telling the story of a mysterious outbreak that attacks the Earth. One family who manages to survive isolates themselves in a forest to avoid being infected by the epidemic. Until one day, they meet another group of survivors and agree to share a place to live and food supplies. However, strange incidents occur one by one, making them realize that one of them may have been infected by the epidemic.

10. Virus (2019)

(c) nowrunning.com

If you're bored of watching Hollywood films, maybe this Indian film can be a recommendation. VIRUS is based on a true story when the Nipah outbreak occurred in Kerala. The story begins with a man experiencing symptoms due to an unidentified virus. He is then taken to Government Medical College, Kozhikode for further examination. However, a few hours later, he is declared dead. The man himself has already transmitted the virus to 18 other people.

Some of the films above can give you an idea of how a virus can spread widely. Although some films are spiced with fantasy stories, at least they can be entertainment that adds insight during social distancing like now. Enjoy watching!

(kpl/wri)