What happens when a night you barely remember starts rewriting your body in real time? Eric England’s indie shocker "Contracted" is an uncomfortably prescient look at how women’s symptoms are dismissed, consent is questioned after the fact, and control over their own bodies can be challenged even by healthcare providers in the blink of an eye.
This article is part of Trick or Stream, a seasonal series where Tom's Guide writers share their favorite horror movies and thrillers.
"Contracted" follows Samantha (Najarra Townsend), a woman who wakes up after a party with symptoms that quickly escalate from inconvenient to alarming. She suspects she may have contracted an STD after being sexually assaulted, but it actually might be far worse. Meanwhile, everyone around her insists it’s just stress or a bad decision.
Things escalate from awkward discomfort into full-on body horror in this tense, unsettling watch — perfectly timed for Halloween. If you’re hunting for free scares on Tubi that hit uncomfortably close to home in today’s landscape for women’s health, "Contracted" is a must-see, and that’s exactly why it’s become one of my favorite horror finds.
What's 'Contracted' about?
Samantha wakes up after the party, convinced that something happened without her consent. A clinic visit with an unconcerned doctor gets her nothing more than a shrug and an STD pamphlet.
But the next few days are far more serious. She begins experiencing nosebleeds, lesions, and other terrifying changes. Her teeth and hair start failing, her eyes cloud over; her body is transforming. And anyone who could help — doctors, friends, even family — treats her symptoms like they're nothing.
As Samantha pieces together the night and unravels the truth about the man who assaulted her, she discovers the devastating effects of this mysterious illness. With no one to support her, she must find a way forward — or a cure — before it’s too late.
Why you should stream 'Contracted' on Tubi
If you want body horror that feels uncomfortably real, this is it. "Contracted" stays firmly in Samantha’s perspective as her body deteriorates in small, horrifying steps: a rash becomes rot, teeth loosen, hair falls in clumps. There are no monstrous reveals, just practical effects and one particularly disgusting scene with a maggot that we won’t spoil here. You’ll know it when you see it.
Each day brings a new symptom, and every attempted fix fails. No one takes Samantha seriously because she’s both unbelievable as a woman and invisible as an assault survivor.
The film is grim and relentless, with the body itself as the battleground. It’s also a stark reminder of how women are often treated in healthcare settings, even when symptoms become impossible to ignore.
For horror that creeps under your skin rather than jumps out at you, "Contracted" is an easy, free watch on Tubi. And it’s a reminder that, as a woman, your concerns are valid—even if you think you might be turning into a zombie.
Watch "Contracted" free on Tubi
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