Leave the World Behind
Directed by Sam EsmailA family's getaway to a luxurious rental home takes an ominous turn when a cyberattack knocks out their devices, and two strangers appear at their door.
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Cast of Leave the World Behind
Leave the World Behind Ratings & Reviews
- Kevin WardJuly 2, 2025Netflix ironically making the 'pro physical media' case probably IS a sign of the apocalypse. I really loved this. A slow burn psychological thriller that sustains the tension through the entire runtime. I love this kind of tension—the perpetual feeling of impending doom. Married couple Amanda and Clay (Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke), book an AirBnB, outside of the city to get away from the hustle and bustle with their two children. But in the middle of the night a knock on the door reveals a man and his daughter claiming to be the residents of the house. A massive power outage has crippled the city where their main home is and they headed out to their remote rental for refuge. The man, G.H. is played by Mahershala Ali and his daughter, Ruth, by Myha’la Herrold. The two families are forced to figure out how to navigate this night together, how to figure out what is going on out in the world, and determine who is it that they can trust? The camera work is stylish with some Fincher-esque impossible camera movements. There’s also an interior car shot with excellent sound design that perfectly symbolizes the film’s major theme how technology and modern conveniences have created a separation amongst each other. This family of four on vacation together are each living a completely separated and isolated existence. The all-star cast is fantastic, and Esmail mixes the pairings of cast members on screen throughout so we get different character dynamic in almost every scene. The only character I didn’t mention yet is Kevin Bacon, who plays a survivalist “nut” local to the area. He definitely brings the fire in his limited screen time, which of course I loved. Leave the World Behind may not be for everyone. It’s not a typical apocalyptic thriller, but I immensely enjoyed the production, the outstanding performances, and the questions it asks about our relationships to each other. Highly recommend the film.
- archlivesJune 21, 2025Interesting plot, but not enough explained about what is going on, a lot of swearing, and a ridiculous ending as of it's only half way through.
- TanalienJanuary 9, 2025Leave The World Behind picks at what it sees as mainstream in today’s culture: the easy capacity to distrust, criticize, and be cold. If it happens so often in online exchanges, how could it not bleed into conversation and important relationships? The ruler of a technology is the one whose code runs on it. Most of our technology is not our own. Leave The World Behind tells us: If we use technology to replace the value of human connection, then we better understand the consequences – and what now has control over us. Doctor, the patient’s diagnosis is not good.
- RyezooFebruary 4, 2025This rocks. The acting, cinematography, and score are all top-notch. I can see the viewpoint of the people who don't like it, but I got everything I needed out of it!
- ayayronFebruary 16, 2025Manifests new fears while you consider the ramifications of living in heavily tech-reliant times
- Tyler SFebruary 8, 2025👍 6.5/10
- The Gutter MonkeyOctober 19, 2024If unraveling symbolism isn't your thing, it'll keep you hooked until a disappointing end. But if you crack its code, it's a perfect from start to finish.
