In 2023, Sam Esmail takes the helm as writer, director, and producer in ‘Leave the World Behind,’ an apocalyptic psychological thriller based on Rumaan Alam’s 2020 novel. Starring Julia Roberts (also in a producer role), Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la, and Kevin Bacon, the film follows their characters as they grapple with the gradual breakdown of phones, television, and technology, hinting at an impending catastrophe.
What can be said for Leave the World Behind, a Netflix slow burn thriller that contains tense moments that build towards an ending that will leave you disappointed. For every step forward, It takes two steps backwards by failing to capitalize on effective momentum building.
The narrative revolves around two families stranded together in a country house during a mysterious catastrophic event. The film cleverly leaves the details of the catastrophe ambiguous, allowing viewers to engage their imagination. This duality, however, proves both intriguing and limiting. While the mystery sparks curiosity, the film’s tight grip, exemplified by explicit chapter titles revealing future events, restricts viewers from exploring the unknown. Even in moments of anticipation, like the potential shift in animal migration patterns, the payoff falls flat due to poor scene development. A peculiar scene where deer passively surround Julia Roberts adds little to the plot, underscored by the film’s inclination to tread backward while the audience forges ahead.
The cast delivers commendable performances, portraying individuals in conflict and fostering the illusion that the real threat resides within the same walls, even though the true danger lurks externally. The movie serves as an allegory for the current societal divide in America, highlighting our incessant bickering over trivial matters. The film suggests that when a genuine external threat emerges, our internal discord may blind us to the looming danger. While the concept unfolds entertainingly, the film falters due to a lack of character direction and superfluous scenes that distract from its core message
In its entirety, “Leave the world behind” boasts a captivating premise, bolstered by the presence of A-list actors. However, the execution leaves much to be desired as the film consistently undermines every tense and thrilling moment with an excessive focus on storytelling. The potential for gripping scenes is overshadowed by an overindulgence in narrative elements, detracting from the overall impact the film could have achieved.
