A One Mann’s Movies review of “Leave the World Behind” (2023).
“Leave The World Behind” is another apocalyptic thriller, showing on Netflix. But this one is at least done with some style and suspense. It also, remarkably, features a flamboyance of flamingoes…. the second film in a row for me to see (after “Wonka“) to feature a flamboyance of flamingoes. If “Maestro” (seeing that tomorrow) features a flamboyance of flamingoes then I will start to suspect it’s a sign from God!
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
Advertising exec Amanda Sandford (Julia Roberts) has had it with New York Life, coming to the conclusion that she “Fucking Hates People”. She needs to let off steam and books an impromptu AirBnB by the coast with her husband Clay (Ethan Hawke), son Archie (Charlie Evans) and spectrum-challenged daughter Rose (Farrah Mackenzie). But their solitude is rudely disturbed by a bizarre event at the beach and by two strangers – G.H. (Mahershala Ali) and Ruth (Myha’la) – knocking on their door in the middle of the night and demanding to stay there. What IS going on?
Certification:
UK: 15; US: R. (Rated ’15’ by Netflix. Not rated by the BBFC).
Talent:
Starring: Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, Myha’la, Charlie Evans, Farrah Mackenzie, Kevin Bacon.
Directed by: Sam Esmail.
Written by: Sam Esmail. (Based on the novel by Rumaan Alam).
Twitter Handle: #LeaveTheWorldBehind.
Running Time: 2h 18m.
Julia Roberts as Amanda, getting an earful from the environment. (Source: Netflix).
“Leave The World Behind” Review:
Positives:
- There’s a genuine creepiness to the way in which the story unfolds, so the less you know about the film going into it the better. The joy of the ride is not being quite sure of where the story is going and whether people’s motives are genuine or not.
- There’s a genuinely spooky scene that might have been sponsored by Tesla…. or probably not! … that will live long in my memory! (And was the ‘business mogul’ friend that G.H. was talking about perhaps implied to be Musk??).
- I liked the way that the script danced with aspects of racism.
- It’s a small but star-studded cast, led by Julia Roberts who actually gets to act in this one and act well. Her film appearances are becoming few and far between (apart from the lightweight “Ticket to Paradise” last year, her last movie role was back in 2018). The ever-reliable Mahershala Ali provides strong charismatic support and Ethan Hunt is also very good here. I was also struck by young Farrah Mackenzie who has an ethereal Luna Lovegood quality about her blinkless stare that works very well for the movie. Myha’la Herrold (now just “Myha’la”) impressed me as the gun-toting Jordan in “Bodies Bodies Bodies” and she is again very good here as the overtly-sexual temptress Ruth. She confidently asking the academic Clay “Have you ever fucked one of your students?”
- There are some really interesting choices for camera angles and movements. The camera swirls down and around, passing through floors of the house. There are some camera tricks that are Hitchcockian in their execution (a pan down and through a hole in a front-door window is pure Hitchcock). The cinematography was by Esmail regular Tod Campbell.
Negatives:
- There are some elements of the story that stretched credibility beyond my personal breaking point (aspect to do with animals and planes come to mind). And some of the personal relationships that develop feel just a tad forced and unlikely.
- I know many people like a beginning a middle and an end to a story. This had a beginning and a middle… but it didn’t really have an end. I liked the way it played out, leaving a lot of strings dangling. Others may find this infuriating!
The Friends fan Rose (Farrah Mackenzie) with the slightly strange and other-worldly stare. (Source: Netflix).
Triggers
I know there are some viewers that have a phobia about anything dental-related. There is a scene in this movie that won’t sit well with them.
Summary Thoughts on “Leave The World Behind”
I noticed that, like “Rustin“, Michelle and Barrack Obama were some of the executive producers behind this one. Looks like an interesting new sideline for the power-couple developing. I found this a flawed but ultimately interesting apocalyptic excursion that kept me entertained and intrigued throughout. Well acted and with interesting direction by Sam Esmail, it’s well worth checking out.
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Trailer for “Leave The World Behind”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMVBi_e8o-Y .
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