Sam Esmail’s Leave the World Behind is a film that lingers long after the credits roll—not for its answers, but for the questions and unease it leaves behind. Adapted from Rumaan Alam’s novel, this apocalyptic thriller uses the trappings of a disaster movie to probe deeper anxieties about trust, race, technology, and the fragility of modern life.
Premise and Plot
The film opens with Amanda Sandford (Julia Roberts), a jaded Brooklynite, whisking her husband Clay (Ethan Hawke) and their two children away for a weekend at a luxurious Long Island rental. Their escape is quickly disrupted: first by a sudden loss of cell service, then by the arrival of the house’s real owners—G.H. Scott (Mahershala Ali) and his daughter Ruth (Myha’la)—seeking refuge from a mysterious blackout in New York City. As bizarre events escalate—a cargo ship crashes ashore, herds of deer gather ominously, and the digital world collapses—the two families are forced to confront not only the external threat, but also their own prejudices and the breakdown of social order.
Atmosphere and Direction
Esmail, best known for Mr. Robot, brings his signature tension and visual flair to the film. Nearly every conversation feels like a duel, with camera work and sound design heightening the sense of dread and uncertainty. The isolated mansion becomes a pressure cooker, and the outside world grows more surreal and threatening with each passing hour. The film excels at making the mundane—boats, deer, malfunctioning cars—feel like harbingers of doom.
Themes and Social Commentary
At its core, Leave the World Behind is less about the mechanics of apocalypse and more about how people react when the systems they rely on collapse. The film explores:
- Racial and Class Tension: Amanda’s suspicion of G.H. and Ruth, and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways mistrust and privilege play out, are central to the film’s drama.
- Dependence on Technology: The sudden loss of connectivity is more than a plot device—it’s a commentary on how vulnerable our digital lives make us.
- Uncertainty and Paranoia: The film weaponizes ambiguity; much is left unexplained, forcing both characters and viewers to grapple with the unknown.
Performances
The cast is uniformly strong. Julia Roberts delivers one of her most unsympathetic roles, imbuing Amanda with a mix of self-absorption and fear that feels uncomfortably real. Ethan Hawke is quietly effective as the well-meaning but passive Clay. Mahershala Ali stands out, bringing gravitas and complexity to G.H., a man caught between rationality and growing dread. Myha’la is compelling as Ruth, whose skepticism and frustration mirror the audience’s own.
Pacing and Structure
The film is deliberately paced, focusing on psychological tension rather than action. Some viewers may find it slow or even “pointless,” especially as the story withholds clear explanations and builds to an ambiguous ending. But for others, this uncertainty is the point: the film is “about the end of the world, but less about how it happens and more about how people cope with it, and how human relations evolve under such a context”.
Ending and Reception
The ending has proven divisive. Rather than providing a cathartic resolution, the film “doesn’t so much as end as just stop,” leaving viewers with unresolved questions and a sense of existential dread. For some, this encapsulates the film’s message about the unpredictability of crisis and the human need for closure—even when none is forthcoming. For others, it’s a source of frustration, making the film feel incomplete or unsatisfying.
Strengths
- Tense, immersive atmosphere
- Nuanced performances, especially from Mahershala Ali
- Thought-provoking social commentary
- Effective use of ambiguity and symbolism
Weaknesses
- Slow pacing and lack of clear resolution may alienate some viewers
- Overt themes at times feel heavy-handed
- Some characters are underdeveloped
Final Thoughts
Leave the World Behind is a complex, unsettling film that uses the framework of an apocalyptic thriller to explore deeper questions about trust, society, and our own vulnerabilities. It’s not a film for those seeking clear answers or conventional thrills, but for viewers willing to sit with uncertainty, it’s a haunting reflection of the anxieties of our time.
Rating: 3/5