"Leave the World Behind" delivers star power with Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, and Ethan Hawke, joined by a production team that includes the Obamas in their first project under the Highland Productions banner. Their collaboration brings dividends beyond the celebrity factor, five years after their Netflix deal.
Sam Esmail, director of "Mr. Robot," adapts novelist Rumaan Alam's work, creating a film that subtly incorporates elements of drama, suspense, and paranoia. Long-winded dialogues occasionally feel forced but Esmail revitalizes the narrative with jarring scenes and an unsettling soundtrack, allowing the audience to experience the creeping chaos that occurs just beyond the screen.
The cast's talent shines as they grapple with trust and secrets, and a clever use of chapter headings gives the film a literary flair. Racial and class tensions are explored, adding complexity to the characters while highlighting the unforeseen vulnerabilities of our digitally dependent world.
While some viewers may find the conclusion frustrating, others will appreciate the thought-provoking nature of the ambiguity. No matter one’s stance, "Leave the World Behind" is a film that promotes discussion, offering a thoughtful commentary on our fragile modern societies.
"Leave the World Behind" premieres on Netflix December 8, rated R.
Sources:
[1]
[Enrichment Data]
“Leave the World Behind” is a Netflix film directed by Sam Esmail and based on Rumaan Alam's 2020 novel of the same name. The story revolves around Amanda Sandford (Julia Roberts) and her husband Clay (Ethan Hawke) who take their children Rose (Farrah Mackenzie) and Archie (Charlie Evans) on a weekend getaway to a luxurious vacation home on Long Island. Their trip is disrupted when the homeowners, Gh Scott (Mahershala Ali) and his daughter Ruth (Myha'la Herrold), return unexpectedly, citing a city-wide blackout. The tension between the two families heightens as a series of cataclysmic events unfold, including a massive cyber attack that incapacitates communication networks, and other mysterious occurrences that challenge human nature.
The film's ending leaves many unanswered questions, sparking controversy and discussion among audiences and critics. Boasting strong performances and thought-provoking themes, "Leave the World Behind" is a provocative attempt to explore the fragility of our digital-dependent world, with Netflix leaning on their high-profile collaboration with Barack and Michelle Obama to market the film.
