From Fiction to Reality in Steven Soderbergh’s Contagion (2011), a Prediction of Coronavirus Pandemic

Abstract

Following the global spread of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the uncannily predictive movie Contagion (2011) surfaced as a cinematic forewarning of the trials and societal responses encountered in such a crisis. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the film portrays the rapid spread of a fictional deadly virus and the subsequent struggle of scientists, healthcare workers, and the public trying to stop its impact. This thesis aims to examine how Contagion anticipated elements of the COVID-19 pandemic, including scientific, societal, economical, and political responses. It has taken a diverse approach, examining the links between cinematic storytelling, cultural influence, and pandemic dynamics to reach reliable results. Contagion mirrored real-life pandemic consequences, drawing striking parallels between its fiction and reality. It also provides a distinct perspective for analysing and understanding public health emergencies. Résumé