When people imagine Matt Damon, they often think of his roles as an occasional action hero or prominent movie star, not necessarily as the understated center of a tense disaster narrative about a global pandemic. Yet, Damon indeed starred in such a film: the gripping medical thriller “Contagion.” Currently trending on HBO Max, the movie holds the sixth spot on the platform’s top 10 list.
Warner Bros. Pictures
In contrast to other epidemic-themed films like “Outbreak” or “The Cassandra Crossing,” Steven Soderbergh’s “Contagion” opts for a more grounded and realistic portrayal. The film explores the terrifying momentum of a virus transmitted through respiratory droplets and surfaces, drawing unsettling parallels to real-life outbreaks like SARS and COVID-19, despite its 2011 release date.
The narrative traces the virus’s journey from its inception—a woman returning home from a business trip in Hong Kong—into a global crisis. It delves into the lives of conspiracy theorists (played by Jude Law), committed medical professionals (portrayed by Laurence Fishburne), and everyday individuals like Damon’s character, Mitch Emhoff, who struggles with the loss of his family amidst the chaos. Although the eventual development of a vaccine brings hope, both the characters and audience are left forever changed.
Even if “Contagion” isn’t as frequently recalled as some of its contemporaries today, it performed well financially. It debuted at No. 1 at the domestic box office, earning $23.1 million and surpassing “The Help,” a popular book adaptation. Although it faced tough competition from a re-released “The Lion King” in the following week, it ultimately grossed over $136 million globally, a respectable return given its $60 million budget.
Critics also received the film favorably, earning it an 85% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In his three-star review, Roger Ebert acknowledged some confusion regarding the virus’s portrayal and suggested a more concise cast might have benefited the film. However, he appreciated the movie’s message, concluding with observations on hygiene practices, noting the ubiquitous presence of hand sanitizers and the sometimes awkward nature of handshakes.
Contagion did surprisingly well when it hit movie screens worldwide
Warner Bros. Pictures
While it might not be as well-remembered as its contemporaries these days, “Contagion” actually did solid business at the box office. It beat the book-based hit “The Help” to reach No. 1 in its opening weekend at the domestic box office with $23.1 million. It fared decently the following weekend against a re-release of “The Lion King,” though it couldn’t hold onto the top slot. It ended up with a final gross of more than $136 million worldwide, not bad for a bleak film with a $60 million budget.
The movie did well with critics, too — it’s certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an 85% approval score. Roger Ebert noted in his three-star review that while the behavior of the virus seems confusing and some of the film’s sprawling cast could have been trimmed, he enjoyed the movie, ending his review on this pertinent note: “Yes, we must often wash our hands. Yes, ‘hand sanitizers’ are all over the place these days. Yes, shaking hands with strangers can be annoying — although they are no more likely to carry viruses than we are. Yes, there is really not much we can do.”
The scientific community also had some words of praise for Steven Soderbergh’s flick and its careful translation of science into cinematic reality. “Typically when movies take on science, they tend to sacrifice the science in favor of drama. That wasn’t true here,” vaccination expert Paul Offit said in a Medscape article. Quite a stamp of honor, and perhaps one reason why “Contagion” continues to spread its sobering, still-relevant message.