Liam Neeson, known for his performances in “Schindler’s List” and the “Taken” trilogy, is at it again. He’s currently the narrator of a new anti-vaccine documentary in the works, “Plague.” The film is a loving tribute to the meteoric rise of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. Perhaps the best known person connected to its production is Liam Neeson, who stars in it. In a departure from his previous views, Neeson now characterizes COVID vaccines as “dangerous experiments” and critiques the mainstream scientific community.
The documentary couldn’t have come at a better moment. Kennedy’s Health and Human Services department is currently in the process of actively dismantling significant aspects of the U.S. public health infrastructure. Given Neeson’s stature, his involvement opens up many questions and opportunities for celebrity endorsements. They serve as a potent influencer in public views toward vaccination and other public health interventions.
The Message of Plague
In “Plague,” Neeson is featured promoting his conspiracy theory that the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for COVID-19 escaped from a U.S.-funded laboratory in Wuhan, China. He excoriates the emergency COVID lockdowns. He thinks these measures were more harmful than helpful in the fight to slow the virus’s spread.
“Thousands of lives were lost, not to the virus, but to the mental anguish brought on by these harsh restrictions.” – Liam Neeson in Plague
Therefore, he is a passionate advocate that the policies championed by Kennedy and former President Trump are directly leading to these avoidable outbreaks. These epidemics have led to the tragic deaths of children this year. Neeson casts the scientific community as “fanatics” and “defenders of…orthodoxy,” calling for “unconditional submission” from the public in their acceptance of vaccination.
This new turn in Neeson’s attitude is quite a departure from the actor’s own past words. In 2022, he hailed vaccines as “a remarkable human success story” and expressed gratitude towards scientists involved in vaccine development, including Hungarian biologist Katalin Karikó.
Public Health Experts Respond
Neeson’s recent comments and work on “Plague” have already stirred backlash from public health advocates and experts. Dorit Reiss, a prominent vaccine law expert, stated that “Liam Neeson should not lend his name to promoting an anti-science, anti-public health documentary.” Reiss fought for better, clear, and accurate information to help combat the lies and misinformation surrounding vaccines.
When Neeson narrates claims that directly contradict established scientific consensus, the damage to public understanding can be immense and irreversible. His outlandish claims about vaccine safety and origins play well with audiences suspicious of mainstream public health messaging.
“We cannot change the past, but we can demand transparency and accountability for the future,” – Liam Neeson in Plague
Now, influential public figures are exploiting their platforms to advance and normalize harmful, controversial ideas. Should this trend continue, it would be a further blow to public confidence in their health authorities.
The Role of Celebrity Influence
Neeson’s leading role in “Plague” highlights the power of celebrity endorsements to alter the public conversation around health-related issues. The new documentary might have the most impact on those who are already naturally inclined to distrust vaccines and public health recommendations.
This dramatic reversal begs the question, what led to his decision to switch sides. His publicist refused to comment on “Plague,” which has left audiences and critics to wonder what could have caused such a drastic change of heart.
“We cannot bring back every loved one we lost, but we can honor their memory by seeking and upholding the truth.” – Liam Neeson in Plague
In this scene, Neeson frames vaccine skepticism as a noble pursuit of truth. This strategy puts him at the forefront of calls for greater accountability from our public health systems. This platform is under attack by the critics. They make a compelling case that these narratives can do tremendous damage by spreading misinformation and interrupting our efforts to defeat this still-present pandemic.
