Episode 20: Biting Mad - When Rabies Becomes the Reel Villain

Rabies is one of the deadliest viruses known to science—but its cultural legacy may be even more enduring. Rabies has stalked the screen for decades, not just as a disease, but as a symbol of primal fear, uncontrollable rage, and the thin line between animal and human. This episode investigates the biology of rabies bites and its eerie neurological symptoms, while examining its transformation into a metaphor for rage, madness, and monsterhood in popular media. Featuring deep dives into Cujo, a shocking Criminal Minds episode, and a host of pop culture references from Old Yeller to 28 Days Later, this episode traces how rabies bites into our deepest fears—both real and reel.