Contagion

Movie review by S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media
Contagion Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

All-star virus thriller is intense, uncompromising.

PG-13 2011 105 minutes
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Parents say

age 12+

Based on 11 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 56 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this grim thriller about the spread of a deadly, fast-acting global virus helmed by Oscar-winner director Steven Soderbergh and populated by an all-star cast (including Matt Damon and Gwyneth Paltrow, among many others), may be too intense and/or overwhelming for younger kids given its stark, uncompromising depictions of death and the somber, sometimes scary exploration of what it's like to live in a constant state of fear. Expect disturbing imagery (including a gory autopsy) and mature themes, such as death (in one case, of a child) and infidelity. There's also some swearing (including "s--t") and social drinking.

Community Reviews

Eiola_Scamander
Eiola_Scamander Adult
May 7, 2020
age 13+

I'm okay

I believe people should at least be 13+ to watch this movie, but my younger brother is 10 years old and he LOVES it. It is pretty disturbing. (taking out the brain, etc.) I didn't really enjoy this movie, but everything else that has nothing to do with doctors is alright. FYI, make sure you wash your hands.

This title has:

Too much violence
Grumblybear
Grumblybear Adult
April 15, 2020
age 10+

Timely!

I was told to watch this about 2-4 weeks into COVID19 arriving stateside. My initial reaction was, "No way! Too scary for me." But 6 weeks into it, trying to quaranTEEN a 15 y.o. at home - unsuccessfully I might add - it became mandatory viewing for all of us. It's a good story and well acted. There's a lot of detail to pack into 2 hours, but they do a decent job. The "scariest" part of the movie was how incredibly accurate it is! It came out in 2011, but here we are in 2020 experiencing a pandemic nearly exactly how it played out in the movie. My ~11 y.o. wanted to watch with us. I covered his eyes initially for the autopsy scene. But due to some questions during the movie, we had to re-wind. He insisted he wanted to see it, so I let him. It wasn't really that bad (coming from a doctor...someone who's always been curious about biology and bodily functions, etc.). There's a lot of good teaching points. My kids (15 and ~11) asked a lot of good questions. You have to know what your kids can handle.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 11 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Beth Emhoff (Gwyneth Paltrow), a married Minneapolis executive, flies to Hong Kong on business. Upon her return, she's gripped with flu-like symptoms, has a seizure in her kitchen, and dies. Her husband, Mitch (Matt Damon), is in shock. Meantime, the Center for Disease Control is flooded with calls from around the country -- and the globe; whatever killed Beth is killing plenty of other people, too. Meanwhile, a blogger (Jude Law) is convinced of a government conspiracy and hypes an alternative remedy, while others are up in arms and start looting. It's up to Dr. Ellis Cheever (Laurence Fishburne) and his investigators (including Kate Winslet), as well as other scientists and doctors around the world, to identify the agent and find a cure before the planet loses millions more citizens.

Is It Any Good?

With a stellar cast, a gripping pace, and a subject matter as hard to shake as the virus that spreads through its story, CONTAGION is a winner. (When your first instinct after seeing the movie is to attempt not to touch anything on your way home and to wash your hands thoroughly, you know it hit its marks.) Though some cast members have more camera time than others -- Damon, for instance, who's first rate, and Fishburne, in a meaty, satisfying role -- the film is a masterful ensemble piece in which no one hogs the spotlight.

Given the subject matter, it's surprising how Contagion doesn't unfold like a hospital-based TV drama. Jargon pops up in seemingly organic and very necessary moments; it's explained well, too. Emotional moments are used selectively, grounding the film in humanity without becoming maudlin (or manipulative). An Internet subplot hovers dangerously close to excess, but manages to pull away from the brink. All in all, it's a Soderbergh win.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what makes this film scary and/or intense. Is it the tone? The subject matter? Are you scared that something like this could really happen?

  • Parents, talk to your kids about any fears the movie raises. For tips, try this article.

  • How does the movie portray the Internet as a source of information regarding disease and health?

Movie Details

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    Carriers

    Gloom, not thrills, in sci-fi drama of worldwide plague.

    age 15+

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