Leave the World Behind
Year: 2023
Director: Sam Esmail
Starring: Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha'la & Julia Roberts
Runtime: 141 mins
BBFC: 15
Published: 21/12/23
Director: Sam Esmail
Starring: Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha'la & Julia Roberts
Runtime: 141 mins
BBFC: 15
Published: 21/12/23
Mr. Robot is one of my favourite TV shows of the last decade. I won’t deny it had a few wobbly moments here and there, but overall the quality of the show was superb and it told a gripping technological espionage tale.
So I was very excited when I heard that Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail would be writing and directing his own feature film. Even more interesting was the collaboration with former U.S President and First Lady, Barack and Michelle Obama. Trailers kept information about what the film was very tight lipped, and so when it dropped on Netflix it divided viewers with its unique take on a terrorist attack on the United States. But is there a diamond in the rough here?
Amanda (Julia Roberts) has spontaneously booked a holiday for herself, her husband Clay (Ethan Hawke), and their two teenage children Archie (Charlie Evans) and Rose (Farrah Mackenzie). On their first day at the rental house they struggle to get the internet or TV to work, and then witness an oil tanker beach itself. Things become more puzzling however when in the middle of the night, a man and a woman, G.H (Mahershala Ali) and his adult daughter Ruth (Myha’la), appear at the home claiming that this is their house and they need to stay the night following a problem in the city.
As the adults discuss the best course of action they become aware of an increase in technological and communications breakdown across the country and find themselves isolated in this remote house.
So I was very excited when I heard that Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail would be writing and directing his own feature film. Even more interesting was the collaboration with former U.S President and First Lady, Barack and Michelle Obama. Trailers kept information about what the film was very tight lipped, and so when it dropped on Netflix it divided viewers with its unique take on a terrorist attack on the United States. But is there a diamond in the rough here?
Amanda (Julia Roberts) has spontaneously booked a holiday for herself, her husband Clay (Ethan Hawke), and their two teenage children Archie (Charlie Evans) and Rose (Farrah Mackenzie). On their first day at the rental house they struggle to get the internet or TV to work, and then witness an oil tanker beach itself. Things become more puzzling however when in the middle of the night, a man and a woman, G.H (Mahershala Ali) and his adult daughter Ruth (Myha’la), appear at the home claiming that this is their house and they need to stay the night following a problem in the city.
As the adults discuss the best course of action they become aware of an increase in technological and communications breakdown across the country and find themselves isolated in this remote house.
When I first saw the trailer for Leave the World Behind I immediately thought back to 2021’s Barbarian, the Airbnb horror film that I thoroughly enjoyed. But whilst there are elements of that stranger danger and home invasion formula here in Leave the World Behind, it is a very different kind of film.
I was quite gripped right up until the third act, and then it just started to fall apart I found. The mystery is replaced with convoluted high-tech terrorism, and the focus shifts away from the confinement of the house and towards the surrounding areas which to me removed some of the tension of having these strangers being forced to stay together. Ali’s character, G.H, knows more than hems letting on and it’s great to see this psychological game of wits between him & Amanda, and how that strains her marriage with Clay because of his calmer demeanour.
That being said I liked the ending. Now matter how disconnected and random the third act seemed to be at times, the actual finale is equal parts funny and terrifying.
The tone goes the line between thriller and dark comedy. Whilst the actual events of the plot would squarely land it in thriller territory, there’s always a decent amount of awkward humour injected into the formula to stop the film ever getting too doom and gloom. One moment in particular sees Amanda and G.H dancing to ‘Too Close’ by Next which I found to be a great break in tension that explores different sides of their characters to what we’ve been exposed to up to that point.
I was quite gripped right up until the third act, and then it just started to fall apart I found. The mystery is replaced with convoluted high-tech terrorism, and the focus shifts away from the confinement of the house and towards the surrounding areas which to me removed some of the tension of having these strangers being forced to stay together. Ali’s character, G.H, knows more than hems letting on and it’s great to see this psychological game of wits between him & Amanda, and how that strains her marriage with Clay because of his calmer demeanour.
That being said I liked the ending. Now matter how disconnected and random the third act seemed to be at times, the actual finale is equal parts funny and terrifying.
The tone goes the line between thriller and dark comedy. Whilst the actual events of the plot would squarely land it in thriller territory, there’s always a decent amount of awkward humour injected into the formula to stop the film ever getting too doom and gloom. One moment in particular sees Amanda and G.H dancing to ‘Too Close’ by Next which I found to be a great break in tension that explores different sides of their characters to what we’ve been exposed to up to that point.
Everyone delivers a strong performance here and it does really feel like a group effort as no one person stands out amongst the cast. I will say that Mackenzie impressed me, she’s probably got the least screen time out of the core group but she makes a great impression considering.
I can see why not everyone’s completely on board with Leave the World Behind. It’s a great concept with solid execution but it fumbles the landing. It’s one of those films where I feel like the final twenty minutes or so could make or break the whole thing for you. It’s definitely worth checking out for the great performances and excellent tension, but just expect to have more questions at the end than you had at the beginning.
I can see why not everyone’s completely on board with Leave the World Behind. It’s a great concept with solid execution but it fumbles the landing. It’s one of those films where I feel like the final twenty minutes or so could make or break the whole thing for you. It’s definitely worth checking out for the great performances and excellent tension, but just expect to have more questions at the end than you had at the beginning.