Michael Dougherty tells the story of the pandemic through movie clips

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

As many of us continue to sit at home in self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have needed even more entertainment than usual. Some choose to watch films and TV shows that will take our minds off of the situation, while others have turned to fictional stories that reflect the current situation. CONTAGION and OUTBREAK have seen spikes in popularity during the global lockdown, and just the other day I revisited the mini-series based on Stephen King's THE STAND.

Michael Dougherty, director of such films as TRICK 'R TREAT and GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS, has taken an even deeper dive into stories of outbreaks, viruses, and infections. He has teamed up with filmmaker Evan Gorski to cut together a cool three minute video that they have titled EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW TO SURVIVE COVID-19 I LEARNED BY WATCHING SCIFI & HORROR MOVIES.

Using clips from movies like ALIEN, THE THING, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, DAWN OF THE DEAD, JAWS, THE MIST, SESSION 9, and THE TERMINATOR, among others, Dougherty and Gorski have managed to tell the story of the Coronavirus pandemic through classic films. From hand washing and mask wearing through to talk of disinfectants and the premature re-opening of beaches, they fit it all in there.

Check out the result of Dougherty and Gorski's work in the video embedded above. It's a really fun way to get through another 3 minutes of this mess.