Matt Damon & Jude Law’s Thriller Contagion Heading to HBO Max June 1

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Matt Damon is famous for movies like Good Will Hunting and the Bourne series, while Jude Law is well-known for films such as A.I. Artificial Intelligence and The Holiday. In 2011, the two actors appeared together in a medical thriller that will soon be available on HBO Max.

Steven Soderbergh’s 2011 thriller, Contagion, was highly praised by critics and boasts a fantastic cast including Matt Damon, Jude Law, Laurence Fishburne, Marion Cotillard, Kate Winslet, and Gwyneth Paltrow. The film saw a surge in popularity again during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contagion Is One of the Most Medically-Accurate Films

The movie Contagion continues to be well-regarded. It was a financial success, earning $136.5 million on a $60 million budget. However, it particularly impressed scientists, who praised its realistic and accurate portrayal of medical procedures, scientific research, and the study of outbreaks and viruses.

The movie tells the story of a widespread outbreak through the experiences of several different characters. Matt Damon stars as Mitch Emhoff, a man who doesn’t get sick from the virus and is married to Beth, portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow. Laurence Fishburne plays Dr. Ellis Cheever, a doctor with the CDC, and Kate Winslet plays Dr. Erin Mears, who is an expert in controlling epidemics.

Jude Law plays Alan Krumwiede, a man who believes he’s cured himself and spreads conspiracy theories about the virus. The film also features Bryan Cranston as Rear Admiral Lyle Haggerty, Jennifer Ehle as Dr. Ally Hextall, Elliott Gould as Dr. Ian Sussman, and Marion Cotillard as Dr. Leonora Orantes, among others. Contagion tells the story of how all these characters cope with the outbreak.

Contagion Has a Divisive Rotten Tomatoes Score

Although critics generally loved Contagion, audience reactions were more mixed. The film boasts an 85% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, but only a 63% score from viewers. Its IMDb rating of 6.8, based on nearly 350,000 reviews, suggests a similar pattern of mixed-to-positive feedback from the public.

Brian Tallerico of HollywoodChicago.com praised the film, noting its fast pace, strong cast, and complex storylines, while also highlighting Steven Soderbergh’s skillful direction. He said the film keeps you invested, engaged, and on the edge of your seat. Calvin Wilson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch called Contagion a thought-provoking and genuinely frightening movie.

While some critics enjoyed the film, Jim Schembri of The Age in Australia criticized it, comparing it unfavorably to Outbreak, saying Contagion lacked drama, excitement, and compelling characters. Many viewers also found it difficult to connect with the story because of the numerous storylines happening simultaneously.

The film gained significant popularity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, as viewers connected its themes to real-world events. This helped it climb the charts on various streaming platforms. Now, it will be available to stream on HBO Max in the United States starting June 1st.

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2026-05-30 01:13