The End of the World as We Know It: Unpacking Leave the World Behind
Video Source: youtube.com/@Netflix
A Unique Take on the Post-Apocalyptic Genre
I just watched "Leave the World Behind," directed by Sam Esmail, and wow, what an experience! This movie is a wild ride, a psychological thriller that really knows how to play with the post-apocalyptic genre. Picture this: Amanda Sandford, played by the amazing Julia Roberts, is this super cynical lady who's had enough of people. So, she takes her chill husband Clay (Ethan Hawke) and their kids, Rose and Archie, to this fancy mansion in Long Island for a weekend getaway.
This movie takes you through all the classic disaster movie beats – strange characters, society falling apart, and all the tension you can imagine. But there's something unique about it too. It's like it takes bits from other Netflix disaster movies like "Don’t Look Up" and mixes in vibes from "Miracle Mile," making it a conspiracy theory come to life.
The Sandfords lose their cell service while on vacation, a cargo ship crashes on the beach, and then there's this mysterious knock at their door at night. The owner of the house, G.H. Scott (Mahershala Ali is just fantastic in this role), and his daughter Ruth come back because of a blackout in New York. Amanda's suspicions and the racial tensions between the Sandfords and the Scotts add a whole other level to the movie.
Julia Roberts is just so good at playing a not-so-likeable character, and the whole cast really brings this sense of impending doom to life. The camera work is wild too – long pans, crane shots, and all that jazz. It's refreshing to see a movie that's not afraid to have a little fun with an already crazy premise.
But here's the thing that got me – while the movie is a whirlwind of intense, heart-touching moments, the ending just doesn't wrap things up the way you'd expect. It's like you're on this emotionally gripping journey, and then suddenly, it just... doesn't conclude in a satisfying way. It's full of feeling and suspense, but then it ends without giving you those solid answers you crave. Kind of leaves you hanging and wondering if maybe this is just part one, and there's more to come. Could they be setting us up for a sequel?
Honestly, it's worth watching. It's one of those movies that sticks with you, and you'll probably end up mulling over it for a while. Give it a go and let me know what you think. Maybe we can try to guess what happens next if they ever make a sequel!
