Netflix has enjoyed a string of original successes in 2023, ranging from The Strays to We Cloned Tyrone, and is concluding the year on a particularly high note. Prior to the upcoming releases of Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget and Maestro later this month, Leave the World Behind is making its mark as one of the standout Netflix movies of the year. Sam Esmail, adapting from the bestselling novel of the same name, transforms the narrative into a riveting and intense apocalyptic thriller.
While Esmail has made some alterations to elements of the book, the core premise remains unchanged. Amanda (Julia Roberts) and her husband Clay (Ethan Hawke) rent a luxurious home for the weekend with their children, only to have the owners—GH (Mahershala Ali) and his daughter Ruth (Myha’la)—unexpectedly appear, requesting to stay the night.
The night takes a dramatic turn as GH and Ruth caution the family about citywide blackouts, with TV news reports hinting at a cyber attack before abruptly going silent. The suspense unfolds as the family grapples with the question of what is truly happening and whom they can trust.
In Leave the World Behind, Sam Esmail reunites with his Homecoming star Julia Roberts and brings back much of his creative team behind the scenes. This familiarity assures audiences who have experienced Homecoming or Mr Robot of the kind of experience they can expect.
Esmail’s signature themes, such as the perils of technology and the enigmatic nature of the mysteries he introduces, are prevalent in the film. The director’s distinctive style, marked by unconventional framing choices and an ominous score, further adds to the suspense, sometimes acting as its own form of a jump scare.
In a statement from the production notes, Esmail emphasized the importance of tone, considering it key in engaging the audience emotionally. While not overly concerned with resolving broader mysteries, Esmail ensures the film maintains a distinct tone to captivate viewers.
Unlike many Netflix movies that can feel formulaic, especially among the streamer’s blockbusters, Leave the World Behind possesses genuine character. While Esmail gradually unveils the apocalypse, it may not appeal to everyone, but it undeniably avoids being mundane.
The film benefits from four stellar performances by Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, and Myha’la, who engage in meaningful discussions about the unfolding events. These conversations touch on weighty themes such as unconscious bias and wealth inequality.
Although not an “issues” movie, Esmail’s take on a disaster film deviates from the typical Roland Emmerich-style disaster epic. He ensures that the quieter moments are as gripping as the apocalyptic scenarios, particularly by introducing a compelling generational friction between GH and Ruth, shifting them from an older Black couple to a father-daughter pairing.
Esmail doesn’t shy away from delivering apocalyptic moments, featuring notable set pieces in each of the movie’s five parts. These scenes, from a harrowing plane crash to a multi-Tesla pile-up, are impactful due to their judicious use, and their lack of detailed explanation enhances their chilling effect.
While some may find the lack of explicit answers frustrating, akin to the novel it’s based on, Leave the World Behind offers a gripping, distinctive, and superbly performed thriller for those willing to embrace its enigmatic narrative.
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