Leave the World Behind

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Leave the World Behind

R

Released Nov 22, 2023

2h 20m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Popcornmeter

74%

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159 Reviews

36%

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5,000+ Ratings

In this apocalyptic thriller from award-winning writer and director Sam Esmail (Mr. Robot), Amanda (Academy Award winner Julia Roberts) and her husband Clay (Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke), rent a luxurious home for the weekend with their kids, Archie (Charlie Evans) and Rose (Farrah Mackenzie). Their vacation is soon upended when two strangers -- G.H. (Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali) and his daughter Ruth (Myha'la) -- arrive in the night, bearing news of a mysterious cyberattack and seeking refuge in the house they claim is theirs. The two families reckon with a looming disaster that grows more terrifying by the minute, forcing everyone to come to terms with their places in a collapsing world.

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Critics Consensus

An exceptionally well-acted apocalyptic thriller, Leave the World Behind steadily draws the viewer in despite its leisurely pace and somewhat simplistic messaging.

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Audience Says

After a pretty strong start, Leave the World Behind loses its way, fumbling an interesting premise with unlikable characters, unbelievable dialogue, and a disappointing ending.

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Lillian Crawford

Empire Magazine

The tension is breathless and well-constructed, but since they begin with the dial at eleven, there is nowhere to go throughout the film’s exhausting 140 minutes.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 15, 2024

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Rafer Guzman

Newsday

The end of the world is always a valuable thought experiment; it makes us start asking important questions. Alam’s book wondered: “What if?” But Esmail’s movie mostly wants to know: “How come?”

Rated: 2/4

Dec 20, 2023

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Wenlei Ma

PerthNow

We’re not in control, but Sam Esmail is of his startling, character-driven doomsday story about what happens when there’s the very real possibility everything is about to end.

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 19, 2023

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Nelson Acosta

Koimoi

In these times when people see more differences than similarities, it feels important to remember that even when you probably don’t like most people you meet, we are the only thing we have for each other.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 3, 2024

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William Schwartz

Book & Film Globe

a devious film in that it’s just barely mysterious and intriguing enough that you want some kind of explanation, no matter how obvious it becomes that the explanation is going to be incredibly stupid.

May 4, 2024

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Armond White

National Review

The most insolent executive-office musing ever committed to film -- a full-out assault on the nation’s people.

Apr 12, 2024

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Steven

Really tense and thought provoking movie that is also a lot of fun, like early Spielberg.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/27/23

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Remzy

The last scene made me smile.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/25/23

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Robyn K

Film was well made and the acting was terrific. The subject matter, however, was quite perturbing...as it is so close to what we're potentially really facing. People, wake up and smell the coffee...

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/23/23

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John F

Some decent sequences and good acting aren't enough to lift this movie to a fresh rating. Compared to many who didn't like the movie, the ending was fine for me; the problem was establishing the tone of dread too soon, while it was at least 15-20 minutes too long. Roberts and Ali have a great scene together, and Hawke's interaction with a domestic worker are highlights of the film, but other scenes are superfluous while the entire exercise screams Shyamalan's Knock at the Cabin (at least initially). The best line for me was from Herrold's character when she says to Roberts in reference to the sitcom Friends: "It's almost nostalgic for a time that never existed, you know?"

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/25

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Rees M

Started off interesting with lots of questions. Ended with almost as many questions. Terrible ending. Not an organic dialog including awkward sexually suggestive scenes. Just awkward

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/19/25

Full Review

Madison R

Was expecting a lot more… I was ready for a big moment to come and it never did. Had a lot more potential, but didnt live up to it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

Full Review

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Sam Esmail

Director

Julia Roberts

Amanda Sandford

Mahershala Ali

G. H. Scott

Ethan Hawke

Clay Sandford

Myha'la Herrold

Ruth Scott

Kevin Bacon

Danny

Leave the World Behind: First Look

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Leave the World Behind: Final Trailer

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Leave the World Behind: Trailer 1

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Leave the World Behind: Teaser Trailer

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Synopsis

In this apocalyptic thriller from award-winning writer and director Sam Esmail (Mr. Robot), Amanda (Academy Award winner Julia Roberts) and her husband Clay (Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke), rent a luxurious home for the weekend with their kids, Archie (Charlie Evans) and Rose (Farrah Mackenzie). Their vacation is soon upended when two strangers -- G.H. (Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali) and his daughter Ruth (Myha'la) -- arrive in the night, bearing news of a mysterious cyberattack and seeking refuge in the house they claim is theirs. The two families reckon with a looming disaster that grows more terrifying by the minute, forcing everyone to come to terms with their places in a collapsing world.

Director: Sam Esmail
Producer: Sam Esmail, Marisa Yeres Gill, Lisa Roberts Gillan, Chad Hamilton, Julia Roberts
Screenwriter: Sam Esmail
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Esmail Corp., Red Om Films, Higher Ground Productions, Netflix Studios
Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Brief Bloody Images|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 22, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 8, 2023
Runtime: 2h 20m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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