Beneath the jump scares and violence, The Crazies explores themes of government paranoia and the breakdown of social order. It questions who the real "crazies" are: the infected townspeople or the military soldiers who ruthlessly exterminate civilians to contain the virus.

The virus infects the town's water supply, turning peaceful residents into violent, homicidal killers. Sheriff David Dutton (Timothy Olyphant) and his wife Judy (Radha Mitchell) must fight to survive both the infected and the military's ruthless containment efforts. Reception: