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

Full Review

Rotten P

"Leave the World Behind" creates a tense atmosphere but falters with a disjointed narrative and vague plot. The film starts strong with an intriguing premise of a family vacation interrupted by crisis, yet it struggles to deliver a coherent story. The dialogue and motivations often feel unclear, leaving the audience frustrated rather than intrigued. While the cast, including Julia Roberts, do their best, the film's heavy themes get lost in its chaotic execution. It’s a film that leaves you thinking, but not in the way you’d hope.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/25/25

Full Review

Nirmal G

This film tries to be atmospheric and surreal but fails. It is unrealistic, mediocre and dull. Disappointing, given its cast (Julia Roberts et al) and seeing Michelle and Barack Obama listed as exec producers. The cast looks like they are sleepwalking. The choice of songs for the soundtrack is also jarring. A bad fail.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/25/25

Full Review

Dana D

So the movie's next to mediocre at best. So you give it a chance thinking they're building a huge story here, something's about to happen. Spoiler alert: One of the main characters has this hidden secret, although you will likely figure it out on your own prior to the revealing it. He works for the government or something close. You figure out that something apocalyptic such as a war or something like that is going on is knocked that all communications. But you can realize when you watch the movie that he already knows these things, but he does not share it with anybody. And they keep building upon this. And literally it has absolutely no significace in what becomes a resolution of the movie. The buildup literally lasted for 2/3 of the movie. Suddenly the wrap up for the sudden ending. You realize it ends with what you've already known since about 30 min in. Trust me and add 2h to your life that meaningful. I'm not the brightest bulb. Maybe i missed some major message.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/25/25

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: 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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