pandemic

His film 'Contagion' (2011) meticulously depicts the spread of a global pandemic with scientific rigor and explores societal breakdown during crisis.

His body horror films like 'Shivers' (1975) and 'Rabid' (1977) use disease and viral infection as central metaphors for social contamination and loss of control.

His documentary 'Aguirre, the Wrath of God' and narrative works examine human vulnerability and civilization's fragility when confronted with overwhelming natural and existential forces.