With master storyteller Steven Soderbergh at the helm, the 2011 pandemic film “Contagion” features a stellar set to update its pastiche narrative. After a mysterious virus outbreak, the death toll begins to rise. Health professionals are trying to track the appearance of the virus. In the post-COVID world, the film certainly hits differently. Soderbergh’s taut score and brand of multi-pronged storytelling keep the pace going amid its kill count. However, you might be wondering what becomes of Dr. Mears, the officer from Atlanta who travels to Minnesota. Also, does Mitch Emhoff die at the end of the film? Let’s probe further. FRONT SPOILERS.
Does Mitch Emhoff die?
Mitch Emhoff (Matt Damon) is by no means the film’s only protagonist. Although, as the husband of Epidemic Index patient Beth Emhoff (Gwyneth Paltrow), Mitch Emhoff’s character does carry some weight in the story. Matt Damon tries out the role with an innate stoicism. At the end, Mitch’s sobs cause the story to reach its catharsis. However, more than Mitch, Beth stands at the center of the story. Beth Emhoff traveled to Hong Kong on a business trip and ended up at the same restaurant where the infected pork was delivered. For the sake of the camera, Beth shook hands with the sous chef and came into contact with the virus.
On her way back from Hong Kong to Minneapolis, Beth decided to book a flight with a five-hour layover in Chicago to meet her old flame, Jon Neal. Beth has infected more than enough people on the sprawling journey from Hong Kong to Chicago to Minneapolis. On the fourth day of the Outbreak timeline, Beth falls ill. She dies soon after in the hospital and the doctor suggests to Mitch that perhaps encephalitis or meningitis caused the death. During this time, Mitch kept Clark, his stepson, in the care of Carrie Anne, and Clark caught the virus as well.
By the time Mitch reaches Clark, the latter has stopped breathing. After the two consecutive deaths, doctors quarantine Mitch. Meanwhile, a waiter in Hong Kong collapses on a public bus, causing fear among locals. Mitch’s daughter, Jory, arrives at the hospital to meet her father. They can’t come into contact because she can catch the disease. However, Mitch appears to be immune to the virus – and he survives.
However, he struggles to cope with the loss of his wife. Knowing about his wife’s reconnection with her former lover Jon Neal de Mears doesn’t help much. Mitch and Jory return home after Mitch’s quarantine period in the hospital – although Mitch won’t let Jory mingle with her boyfriend, Andrew. One hundred and thirty-five days after the escape – as life resumes its rhythm – Mitch leaves Jory and Andrew for a prom night at home. He cries in the kitchen looking at Beth’s picture, but he’s happy that Jory is moving on with his life.
Does Dr. Erin Mears die?
Dr. Erin Mears (Kate Winslet), an epidemic intelligence service officer, is one of the first martyrs of the epidemic. Following Dr. Cheever’s orders at the CDC, Dr. Erin Mears travels to Minneapolis, Minnesota, Beth’s hometown. She tracks down everyone who has come into contact with Beth, despite the reckless dismissals of local health workers. When cases start to increase, people understand the seriousness of the situation. After coming into contact with Beth’s driver, Dr. Mears also catches the virus. Dr. Cheever feels responsible for Mears and sincerely seeks to bring her home.
He meets with a military official within the CDC to help Mears get the plane with the isolation pod. However, bureaucracy means that Mears cannot have the plane due to a member of Congress, whose health is the government’s priority. With this riddle, Mears cannot go home; she gets a bed at the quarantine center, the local stadium. When a fellow health officer tells him that they are about to create a different service for medical professionals at the university, Mears does not give him time. She dies soon after, delineating a discord early in the story.
Read more: The end of contagion, explained
