Leave the world behind was released on Netflix on December 8th and is written, directed and produced by Sam Esmail. It might not be the upbeat Christmas movie you’re looking for but if you are a fan of psychological thrillers like me, it’s definitely worth the watch.
The movie is based on a novel by the same name written by Rumaan Alam. I have not read the book but based on interviews with Sam Esmail, there are numerous changes made to the movie which is usually the case with book adaptations. Before we even get to the plot, the cast alone should entice you into watching the film. The film stars Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali …. you get my point.
Plot
Leave the world behind follows the Sanford family – Amanda (Julia Roberts) and Clay Sanford (Ethan Hawke) and their teenage children Archie and Rose. Amanda wakes up one morning and makes an impulsive decision to rent out an Airbnb house on Long island for a weekend family trip. The family arrive at this beautiful house which looks more like a famous celebrity’s mansion.
Later in the day, the family decides to spend a couple of hours at the beach. The Sanford’s are enjoying themselves until Rose notices a massive oil tanker moving closer to the beach at an unusual speed. Here’s where things get weird, the family and everyone else at the beach realise the oil tanker is not slowing down even though it’s getting closer to the shore.
Clay hurriedly tells the kids to grab their stuff and we see the family and others manage to flee right before the gigantic oil tanker crashes into the shore and halts it in its tracks.
In the middle of the night, Amanda and Clay are greeted by unexpected visitors G.H. (George H. Scott) and his daughter Ruth, played by Mahershala Ali and Myha’la respectively. G.H. turns out to be the homeowner of this luxurious house the Sanford’s are staying in and explains there was a major power outage in the city which is why they wanted to return home where it was safe and familiar.
From here onwards, we see these two families try to coexist in this house while they discover that the power outage and oil tanker incident they witnessed might be part of a larger apocalyptic phenomenon.
Storytelling
I am quite familiar with Sam Esmail’s work because I previously watched Mr. Robot and Homecoming when they were on air and I highly rate both shows, in fact Mr. Robot is one of my all-time favourite TV series. Leave the world behind incorporated that unique style of cinematography that Sam Esmail used in Mr. Robot and I absolutely loved it.
Leave the world behind. utilised plenty of close-up shots focused on the actors as they delivered their lines and the background music used throughout the film was harmonistic but also used to build tension.
POV shots were also used frequently to show us what the characters were seeing and to highlight its significance. Similarly, the camera would at times start far away from the point of focus and then slowly zoom in until the entire image of what the viewers should focus on was in full frame accompanied by expertly produced music to bring out the eeriness of the scene.
The camera work and music production on leave the world behind was phenomenal. Sam Esmail did an amazing job of directing each scene with such intricate detail that I was glued to the screen and sat at the edge of my seat impatiently waiting to see where the camera would take me next.
Leave The World Behind’s Provocative Themes
The film closely focuses on the two families secluded away from the city and attempting to figure out what is going on with the outside world. The story is unfolding for us viewers through the lens’ of these characters and Sam Esmail uses the suspense of this potential apocalyptic event to explore thought-provoking themes like human nature, societal tensions, trust and the fragility of societal structures in the face of catastrophic events. The eye-catching performances by the entire cast combined with the unique storytelling and realistic elements makes this an unmissable masterpiece with ample substance to unpack.
We see human nature displayed in many forms throughout the film. Initially we see a lack of trust between Amanda and G.H. because of pre-conceived judgements and biases. When phone signals have died and the families are unable to contact the outside world, we see G.H. reassuring everyone that things will be fine soon and there is nothing to worry about. How many times have we dismissed something so quickly to reassure ourselves that everything is fine? it’s human nature.
Later in the movie we also witness societal tension in the form of hostility when Clay and G.H. seeks help from his neighbour and contractor Danny (Kevin Bacon) who is very reluctant to help them because now it’s every man for himself now regardless of their friendship. We also see the tension increase and strain on relationships between both the families as the situation becomes increasingly dire.
We see Ruth scared as she tries to convince G.H. that if things got worse they should just ditch the Sanford’s and take care of each other because they are family and they only have each other to trust and count on. There was the dynamic of the Sanford kids – Rose and Archie. As a typical teenager, Archie does not understand what is happening to the world outside and all he cares about is a girl he has a crush on.
Similarly, Rose is attached to her iPad because she can watch ‘Friends’ and behaves like world is falling apart not because it actually is but because the Wi-Fi doesn’t work anymore and she is unable to watch the finale. Although she is less ignorant than Archie because she notices strange occurrences around the house like a herd of deers randomly showing up. However when she reveals to Archie what she’s seen he doesn’t believe her and she affirms that no one in the family takes her seriously.
Many apocalyptic movies are dramatised a little too much to the point they become unrealistic and after watching these movies, we as the audience might forget about it because it would never actually happen. Leave the world behind is one of those rare thought-provoking films which sticks with you even after the end-credits because the reactions of the characters and the downfall of fragile societal structures accurately illustrate how we would react when faced with similar circumstances.
In the film, there were three carefully planned stages to the apocalyptic plan which would eventually lead to a civil war. The world is so divided in present day which makes this movie seem more like a warning from Sam Esmail than simply a popcorn flick.
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