You are here:

Contagion

Name: Contagion
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Released: 2011
Duration: 106 min

Representation Score

7.4/10

Good

2011

PG-13

Director

Steven Soderbergh

Runtime

106 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Contagion stands out as a detailed exploration of systemic fragility, particularly through its subversion of traditional gender roles. By centering the scientific response on women, the film avoids common clichés and emphasizes female expertise as the central theme. The film also adopts a globalized perspective, examining how international trade and environmental issues affect underrepresented regions. It provides a nuanced look at a worldwide crisis. However, the film lacks depth in representing individual identities. It maintains a traditional focus on straight relationships and uses illness as a broad plot device rather than exploring specific disability or neurodivergent experiences.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Contagion have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film sticks to a traditional focus on straight relationships and family structures, leading to a lack of LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities.

How does Contagion portray gender?

Good

Women play key roles in saving the world, showing strong leadership and intelligence. The story centers on female scientists and public health officials, challenging traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Contagion?

Good

The film features a diverse cast reflecting the global nature of the pandemic. While scientific leadership is mostly white, the ensemble includes international perspectives and examines the impact of zoonotic diseases in developing regions.

How does Contagion represent religion and culture?

Good

The story critiques how global capitalism and rapid travel contribute to systemic collapse. It explores the tension between scientific authority and digital misinformation during the breakdown of social order.

Does Contagion include disability representation?

Fair

The film highlights the collective physical vulnerability of humanity through illness. However, it uses illness as a plot device rather than focusing on specific neurodivergent or chronic conditions.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender roles by centering female scientific expertise and leadership.
Features a globalized cast to reflect an interconnected world.
Offers a sophisticated critique of capitalism and institutional trust.

Limited or Absent

Lacks LGBTQ+ visibility and explores non-cisgender identities.
Uses illness as a plot device rather than centering specific disability narratives.
Scientific leadership remains predominantly white despite international ensemble elements.

Official Synopsis

As an epidemic of a lethal airborne virus - that kills within days - rapidly grows, the worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself.

How are these scores produced? →