However, the way filmmakers portrayed the Communist threat changed throughout the Cold War. Initially, the threat of Communism was often ascribed to "outsiders", or even the Soviet Union directly. 

As concerns of espionage and conspirators within American society grew through the 1950s, Hollywood produced more movies featuring espionage and Communists lurking within American society. These movies sowed the seeds of paranoia, creating large scale concern that even neighbors could secretly be Communist traitors. 

With the continuation of the nuclear arms race and mutually assured destruction, filmmakers also presented the Communist threat as nuclear. These films often increased fear of nuclear destruction and contributed to the "Duck and Cover" hysteria of the nuclear age.