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Leave the World Behind

Play trailer 1:00 Poster for Leave the World Behind R Released Nov 22, 2023 2h 20m Mystery & Thriller Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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74% Tomatometer 159 Reviews 35% Popcornmeter 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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review Remzy The last scene made me smile. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/25/23 Full Review 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 Full Review Millie R This movie was honestly so bad, Overall it was super slow and had such a random ending. It had SO much potential. I would love to see this reimagined. For now though, don't waste your time. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 10/29/24 Full Review Stephen R I have to assume Julia Roberts is becoming more desperate for work. This film started very well but then seemed to take some strange character development paths (i.e. they didnt add to the story line) and then concluded with a very disappointing ending. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 10/29/24 Full Review Rey O A show with very promising cast of characters but with a very disappointing result. I’m sorry but i find the movie a total waste of time. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 10/26/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Leave the World Behind

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Movie Info

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
Red Om Films, Esmail Corp., Netflix Studios, Higher Ground Productions
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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