Sam Esmail’s nail-biting Leave the World Behind serves up a buffet of potential world-ending scenarios. Rogue AI throwing a digital tantrum, nuclear chaos, and climate change. And of course, let’s not forget good old-fashioned human mischief thrown into the mix. Now, it might sound like a doom-and-gloom fiesta, but Esmail’s adaptation of Rumaan Alam’s 2020 novel turns it into a suspenseful rollercoaster. With Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, and Mahershala Ali leading the charge, this Netflix psychological thriller dives headfirst into the wild world of family, tech, and 21st-century living.
What’s Leave the World Behind Release Date?
Leave the World Behind has it’s world premiere on October 25 at 2023 AFI Fest. Currently, the movie is on limited theatrical release. On December 8, the film will release on Netflix.
Leave the World Behind Plot
A family sets out for a weekend getaway, ready to bask in the luxury of a rented home with their kids in tow. Well, cue the plot twist. Tragedy knocks on the door when two mysterious strangers show up, turning the serene weekend retreat into a suspenseful rollercoaster.
Here’s the official synopsis:
“The two families reckon with a looming disaster that grows more terrifying by the minute, forcing everyone to come to terms with their places in a collapsing world.”
Leave the World Behind Official Trailer
Netflix dropped the official trailer on October 24, 2023. The teaser focuses on the two families in the heart of the film.
Who’s Starring in the Film?
Julia Roberts, an Academy Award-winning actress, takes on the role of Amanda. A modern, liberal woman whose character undergoes a profound transformation, revealing her own biases and vulnerabilities in the face of a crisis.
Ethan Hawke, known for keeping audiences on their toes with his varied roles such as Strange Way of Life, steps into the character of Clay. As the husband and father, he attempts to safeguard his family unfold in ways that are far from the typical heroic narrative.
Mahershala Ali, a two-time Academy Award winner, graces the screen as George G.H. Washington in Leave the World Behind. George, the affluent black owner of the Long Island Airbnb, throws a wrench into Amanda and Clay’s dream vacation by delivering news of a colossal blackout. Despite his worldly knowledge, he finds himself as powerless as the rest of us when the power goes out.
Kevin Bacon, steps into the shoes of Danny. Described in the book as the capable and reliable contractor who crafted the Washingtons’ impeccable house, he is not just a builder but also someone G.H. considers a friend and his ultimate go-to for everything, even tips on surviving the apocalypse.
Myaha’la Herrold takes on the character of Ruth Washington, G.H.’s daughter. While in the novel, Ruth was originally G.H.’s wife, the film adaptation changed it. Farrah Mackenzie and Charlie Evans play Rosie and Leonard respectively.
Production and Creative Team
In the directorial and screenwriting helm is Sam Esmail, while Rumaan Alam, the novel’s author, takes on the role of executive producer. The production team includes Esmail, Julia Roberts, Chad Hamilton, Lisa Gillan, and Marisa Yeres Gill, all working behind the scenes to bring this captivating story to life.
Ending Notes
Leave the World Behind promises a rollercoaster ride of cyber shenanigans, unexpected guests, and apocalyptic chaos. With a star-studded cast led by Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, and Mahershala Ali, and the creative genius of Sam Esmail at the helm, this psychological thriller is not your run-of-the-mill apocalypse tale. So, grab your popcorn, buckle up, and get ready to leave your world behind – it’s a movie night you won’t want to miss.
