A Virus Called Fear is a short documentary directed by Ben Fama Jr. about fear’s psychological and societal effects, including the ways media and groups can amplify or exploit it. The film presents fear as a natural adaptive response that can also become irrational or destructive when manipulated.
About the documentary
The film page identifies Ben Fama Jr. as director and Mesa Fama as producer. Rotten Tomatoes catalogs it as a 2012 English-language documentary and credits Fama as director and writer; its runtime is listed as 19 minutes, while the filmmaker’s page gives 20 minutes. It is therefore reasonable to describe it as about 19–20 minutes long.
Fama’s description names Richard Dawkins, Christine Dargon and Karly Way as starring. Rotten Tomatoes lists Richard Dawkins as an actor and separately credits Mesa Wilkerson as producer, with Jeremy Robards and Tiffany Tomkinson as executive producers. These are credits as reported by the respective sources.
What the film explores
The filmmaker describes the documentary as examining fear’s psychological and societal effects. Its stated themes include fear as an adaptive response, the influence of media in spreading fear, and the potential for religious and social groups to exploit it. These are the film’s framing and themes, not independently verified scientific conclusions.
#1 Best Overall
A 2014 review by Erica Roberts summarizes the film’s argument that repeated exposure to stories about crime and accidents can make distant events feel personally threatening. That is the reviewer’s description of the documentary, not a current empirical finding.
Where to watch
The filmmaker’s page includes a “Watch A Virus Called Fear” link. A Prime Video search result lists the title as a 2012 documentary with English audio and captions, but availability can vary by territory and change over time. Check the current listing in your location before relying on a particular viewing option.
Rank #2
FAQ
Who directed A Virus Called Fear?
Ben Fama Jr. directed the documentary. Rotten Tomatoes also credits him as its writer.
How long is A Virus Called Fear?
The filmmaker’s page lists a 20-minute runtime, while Rotten Tomatoes lists 19 minutes. The sources differ slightly, so describe it as about 19–20 minutes long.
What is the documentary about?
Its stated focus is the psychological and societal effects of fear, including how media and groups may amplify or exploit it. The filmmaker’s description also frames fear as natural and potentially adaptive, while acknowledging that it can become irrational or destructive.
Is A Virus Called Fear available to stream?
The filmmaker’s page links to a viewing option, and a Prime Video search result has listed the title. Neither establishes current availability in every country, so check the service listing for your location.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
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