Sayak Basu
Death is probably the only thing that is universally feared across all species. While death can occur in many different forms, diseases are one of the most common causes. During a pandemic, it is almost given that a large number of people are probably going to die. The tension and apprehension of death which a pandemic brings is truly unprecedented. It is only natural that this phenomenon has been tapped into by filmmakers across the world. The popular streaming platforms also host such films. If you wish to check out best pandemic outbreak movies on Netflix, here are some options you have at your disposal.
7. Carriers (2009)
‘Carriers’ is a 2009 body horror film directed by Àlex and David Pastor. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic time when a deadly disease is killing numerous people all over the world. In such a situation, four friends decide to escape to a deserted location where they think they will not be affected by the virus. However, despite all these precautions, the disease manages to find its way to them. The film is superbly written and directed and has some genuinely scary moments. It would have become a far better watch had the ending been better.
6. Outbreak (1995)
This 1995 star-studded film also deals with a viral disease which first starts deep inside Africa and then slowly makes its way into the United States. Although the outbreak first starts in Zaire, the disease gets shipped inside the United States via a monkey and then continues to spread after a thief steals the animal in order to sell it somewhere else. While the film is about scientists desperately trying to find a cure for the disease, it also teaches us how easily such viral diseases can spread across countries and affect people from all demographics.
5. Train To Busan (2016)
This South Korean zombie film is a gripping watch by filmmaker Yeon Sang-ho. ‘Train To Busan‘, as its name suggests, is set within a train which is moving from Seoul to Busan. The film centers around a father-daughter duo who are traveling in this train during the time when a zombie pandemic spreads throughout the country. How these two try their very best in order to stay unaffected and whether they are successful in doing so is what the story is essentially about. This film works wonderfully well because of its rounded characters and some rather thrilling scenes.
4. It Comes At Night (2017)
The unique aspect of ‘It Comes At Night’ is the fact that the film never tells us what is the epidemic which has spread throughout the world which is making everyone very wary of strangers. On the other hand, the film deals with a family during the aftermath of a pandemic outbreak which has left only a few people alive in this world. However, when a new family comes to them looking for help, this family needs to decide what is the right thing they should do. The film shows us the extremes of human emotions that can come up during such desperate times.
3. Cabin Fever (2016)
Co-written by Eli Roth, this 2016 horror film is a remake of Roth’s own similarly-titled 2002 film. ‘Cabin Fever’ is quite similar to films like ‘Friday The 13th‘ when it comes to the premise, but differs in terms of the element which causes disruption to the peaceful ambiance in which the film begins. ‘Cabin Fever’ centers around a group of friends who go to an isolated cabin in the woods to party, but soon get affected by a flesh-eating virus. It seems surprising that Roth would be interested in having to do anything with a film which is almost a shot-for-shot remake of his own product.
2. Here Alone (2016)
This film centers around a young woman called Ann who lives all alone in the woods after the world gets infected by a deadly disease. While most people have died, some still roam around in the woods like zombies, looking for some food. Although Ann is well-protected within her cabin, a dearth of supplies forces her to venture outside. This is where she comes in contact with some people who are about to change her life forever. The film mainly works because of the wonderful performance by Lucy Walters in the leading role. The writing is also crisp and maintains a certain pace from the beginning to the very end.
1. 93 Days (2016)
’93 Days’ is a Nigerian film which deals with the effects of the Ebola virus in Lagos. How thousands of people suffered and sacrificed their lives while trying to combat this deadly disease is what this film is essentially about. While watching this film, those who live in the first world countries can realize how lucky they are that they are born in countries where proper medical care is not something they have to worry about.
Read More: Best Zombie Movies on Netflix
