Leave the World Behind (2023)
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2025-09 to 2026-08
As a mysterious blackout and technological collapse begin to grip the country, a group of strangers find themselves trapped together in a vacation home.
The story
Misanthrope Amanda Sandford arranges an impromptu weekend getaway at a vacation rental with her husband Clay and their kids, Archie and Rose. While shopping for groceries, Amanda notices a man stockpiling supplies. After arriving at the rental, the family discovers that the TV and internet connection are not working, and a pair of deer appear outside. They are soon joined by a man, G.H., and his daughter, Ruth, who are seeking shelter from a blackout. As the characters attempt to make sense of the breakdown in communication and the escalating environmental anomalies, they must navigate the growing uncertainty of a potential national cataclysm.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Misanthrope Amanda Sandford and her family are on a weekend getaway when they encounter a man, G.H., and his daughter, Ruth, who seek refuge in their rental home during a blackout. As the situation escalates, they discover a breakdown in technology and communication. Clay discovers a drone dropping leaflets in Arabic and a stalled convoy of self-driving cars. G.H. reveals his knowledge of military tactics, suggesting a three-stage campaign to topple a country: isolation, synchronized chaos, and the breakdown of social order. Meanwhile, the girls find a bunker where a computer warns of rogue military elements and high radiation. The film concludes with the realization of a massive, coordinated attack on the country, while the characters are left to face the consequences of a collapsing society.
- First release year
- 2023
- Runtime (minutes)
- 140
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Sam Esmail
- Writers
- Sam Esmail · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Julia Roberts · Amanda Sandford; Mahershala Ali; Ethan Hawke; Myha'la; Kevin Bacon
- Genres
- apocalyptic; psychological thriller
- Themes
- social critique; collapse of order; isolation
- Tone and mood
- jittery; suspenseful
- Premise and plot tags
- apocalyptic; disaster; psychological thriller
- Source material / true-story basis
- 2020 novel by Rumaan Alam
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics, though some critics compared it unfavorably to the source novel.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 68 · scale: 100 · review count: 35
- Production trivia
- The film was executive-produced by Barack and Michelle Obama.; The score was inspired by French composer Olivier Messiaen.; The film was included on the 2021 summer reading list of Barack Obama.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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