Unpacking “Leave the World Behind”: A Must-Watch End of World Film on Netflix

Among the growing collection of End Of World Films On Netflix, Leave the World Behind stands out as a particularly chilling apocalyptic thriller. This film, created by Mr. Robot‘s Sam Esmail, brings together a stellar cast including Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, and Ethan Hawke to tell the story of two families navigating an inexplicable blackout that signals a collapse of society. Directed and written by Esmail, the movie plunges its characters and the audience into a world where technology fails, communication ceases, and nature itself seems to turn unsettlingly strange.

The film immediately establishes a pervasive sense of dread, highlighting the vulnerability of modern life reliant on interconnected systems. As the trailer and various clips reveal, familiar elements like deer begin acting in bizarre ways, underscoring that the breakdown extends beyond just electronics. Esmail was drawn to the concept of a cyber attack specifically because, as he told Netflix, its potential global impact and how it would manifest are not widely understood. He notes, “The impact of technology on society is something that I’ve always been fascinated by because I really do think it dramatically changed the way we interact and evolve as people.” This focus on the societal implications of technological failure positions the film uniquely within the genre of end of the world type movies on netflix, prompting reflection on our current dependencies. While different from other genres like those found in a fantasy world movies list, apocalyptic thrillers like this offer a different kind of escape – or warning.

The movie is based on Rumaan Alam’s highly acclaimed 2020 novel of the same name. Alam served as an executive producer on the film, alongside Barack and Michelle Obama, Tonia Davis, Daniel M. Stillman, and Nick Krishnamurthy, bringing additional weight and perspective to the project.

What is Leave the World Behind About?

In this apocalyptic thriller, directed by Sam Esmail, Amanda (Julia Roberts), an advertising executive, and her husband, Clay (Ethan Hawke), a media studies professor, rent a luxurious Long Island home for a weekend getaway with their children, Archie (Charlie Evans) and Rose (Farrah Mackenzie). Their brief respite is shattered one night by the arrival of G.H. (Mahershala Ali), a wealthy financial advisor, and his daughter Ruth (Myha’la Herrold). They claim ownership of the house and bear terrifying news: a mysterious cyberattack is causing widespread blackouts and chaos.

Forced to share the house, the two families grapple with their distrust of each other and the rapidly escalating disaster outside. Technology is useless, communications are down, and inexplicable events unfold, forcing them to confront the fragility of their existence and their own shortcomings. The narrative becomes a tense study of human nature under extreme pressure, exploring themes of race, class, and survival as the characters face a collapsing world. Leave the World Behind, adapted from Alam’s National Book Award-nominated novel, was produced by Esmail Corp, Red Om Films, and Higher Ground Productions. This specific examination of societal breakdown adds a profound layer to the overall end of the world movie list available for streaming.

Based on a Bestselling Novel

Yes, Leave the World Behind is a direct adaptation of Rumaan Alam’s successful 2020 novel. Director Sam Esmail was captivated by the book, reading it multiple times. He noted Alam’s skill in keeping the story grounded in the characters’ emotional journey, which allowed Esmail to translate it into a cinematic experience while exploring his own fascination with technology as a catalyst for collapse.

Alam found Esmail to be an ideal collaborator, trusting his artistic vision from their first conversation. Upon reading the script, Alam felt his story was “reborn,” enriched and deepened while maintaining its core emotional truth. This collaboration highlights the nuanced process of adapting acclaimed literary works for the screen, ensuring that while the medium changes, the essential message remains intact, a critical element in bringing powerful stories to life on platforms like Netflix. Alam’s positive experience contrasts with the challenges many novelists face in Hollywood, stating, “I always felt like my book was in great hands.”

Unsettling Elements: The Mysterious Deer

One of the film’s most eerie and discussed elements involves the unusual behavior of deer. A clip from the movie shows Clay attempting to fix a broken television when he observes a large herd of deer silently congregating around the rental house. These are not the typically skittish wild animals. When Rose approaches them, they remain still, staring. This unsettling phenomenon serves as a potent visual metaphor within the film, suggesting that the disruption is not limited to human technology or society but extends to the natural world itself. It’s a mystery left for the characters, and the audience, to ponder as the situation deteriorates, contributing significantly to the film’s pervasive sense of unease.

Julia Roberts as Amanda Sandford observing deer in the apocalyptic thriller 'Leave the World Behind'

Filming Locations and Production Design

The striking house featured prominently in Leave the World Behind is a real property located in Old Westbury, New York, used for exterior shots and some interior filming. Director Sam Esmail had specific requirements for the location: an open-plan kitchen and living area conducive to dynamic camera movement, and a pool visible from the kitchen.

To achieve the film’s ambitious shots, such as those seamlessly moving through walls and floors, production meticulously built nearly identical replicas of rooms from the house on studio soundstages in Bethpage, NY. This hybrid approach allowed Esmail and the crew the flexibility and control needed for complex cinematography. Esmail highlighted the unique personality of the real house, particularly a hallway with windows overlooking the pool, which “gave us license to be able to move the camera, and interesting angles.” This attention to detail in location and set design enhances the immersive, often claustrophobic, atmosphere of the film.

The Cast: Who Stars in This Apocalyptic Thriller?

Leave the World Behind features a powerful ensemble cast, bringing depth and nuance to the characters facing the impending apocalypse.

Julia Roberts as Amanda Sandford

Julia Roberts portraying Amanda Sandford in the Netflix film 'Leave the World Behind'

Roberts plays Amanda Sandford, a cynical New York advertising executive whose planned relaxing vacation is anything but. Initially portrayed as privileged and somewhat abrasive, Amanda is fiercely protective of her family when crisis strikes. Roberts, an Academy Award winner known for iconic roles, found Amanda to be a “wildly challenging character” due to her complexity. Having previously worked with Esmail on Homecoming, Roberts was eager to tackle this role. Esmail praised Roberts’ ability to infuse even flawed characters with humanity, making Amanda relatable despite her less appealing traits.

• Previously In: Pretty Woman, Erin Brockovich, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Eat Pray Love, Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Twelve, Closer, Runaway Bride, Steel Magnolias, Notting Hill. Many are available on Netflix.

Mahershala Ali as G.H. Scott

Mahershala Ali, a two-time Academy Award winner, portrays G.H. Scott, a sophisticated financial advisor whose instincts tell him the blackout is more than a simple power outage. He and his daughter seek refuge at their vacation home, which the Sandfords are currently renting. G.H. often serves as the voice of reason, attempting to understand the inexplicable events. Esmail was drawn to Ali for his ability to bring a poignant, accessible quality to the character, describing it as making G.H. the audience’s “avatar into the story.” Ali found the role challenging, particularly relating to G.H.’s background in the world of the ultra-rich, pushing him as an actor.

• Previously In: House of Cards, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Swan Song, Ramy, True Detective, Hidden Figures, Moonlight. Several are available on Netflix.

Ethan Hawke as Clay Sandford

Ethan Hawke as Clay Sandford in the Netflix movie 'Leave the World Behind'

Four-time Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke plays Clay Sandford, Amanda’s husband and a media studies professor. Clay is initially portrayed as easygoing and somewhat passive, contrasting with Amanda’s intensity. However, as the crisis deepens, Clay struggles significantly with helplessness and the inability to solve practical problems, representing a different kind of vulnerability. Esmail called Clay one of the film’s “fascinating characters” because he subverts the typical patriarch archetype. Hawke found playing Clay challenging precisely because he represents qualities Hawke himself tries to avoid – someone with good intentions who fails to act effectively. This dynamic makes Clay relatable, reflecting societal blind spots. As the characters grapple with isolation and the breakdown of communication, they face a terrifying world no one movie scenario.

• Previously In: Dead Poets Society, Boyhood, Training Day, First Reformed, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, The Black Phone, Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight.

Myha’la as Ruth Scott

Myha’la portrays Ruth Scott, G.H.’s 25-year-old daughter (a change from the book where she is G.H.’s wife). Ruth is sharp and quick-witted, often challenging the older characters’ perspectives and evasiveness. This age change was a deliberate choice by Esmail and Alam to incorporate a millennial viewpoint on technology and the crisis. Esmail praised Myha’la’s range in portraying Ruth, effortlessly shifting between brazen confidence and moments of fear. Myha’la sees Ruth as a complex intersection of wealth, race, gender, and age, bringing a unique, sometimes contradictory, perspective to the survival narrative.

• Previously In: Industry, Bodies Bodies Bodies, Black Mirror, Premature, Dumb Money. Black Mirror is available on Netflix.

Farrah Mackenzie as Rose Sandford

Farrah Mackenzie as Rose Sandford in the Netflix apocalyptic movie 'Leave the World Behind'

Farrah Mackenzie plays Rose Sandford, Amanda and Clay’s younger child. Rose is introduced engrossed in watching Friends before the blackout, highlighting her detachment from the real world. As strange events unfold, Rose is often the first to notice the unsettling signs, possessing a unique, almost otherworldly curiosity. Esmail was drawn to Mackenzie’s eyes and her ability to convey deep thought, describing it as an “otherworldly quality.” Mackenzie describes Rose as living in her own world, curious but feeling alone and often seeking escape through media, making the loss of technology particularly impactful for her character.

• Previously In: United States of Al, Utopia, Logan Lucky.

Charlie Evans as Archie Sandford

Charlie Evans as Archie Sandford in 'Leave the World Behind' on Netflix

Charlie Evans plays Archie Sandford, Amanda and Clay’s teenage son. Archie is initially presented as withdrawn, often absorbed in video games and his phone, symbolizing the younger generation’s deep connection to technology. When the signal dies, his obsession with regaining connection becomes apparent. Esmail noted that Archie, who was originally conceived as a “jock,” was transformed by Evans’ audition into a more “smart-aleck type” with a facade of superiority, which Esmail found a much better fit. Evans bonded with Esmail over their shared love for thrillers and psychological films, drawing inspiration from directors like Hitchcock.

• Previously In: The Park, Everything’s Gonna Be Okay.

Kevin Bacon as Danny

Kevin Bacon as Danny in the end of world film 'Leave the World Behind'

Kevin Bacon appears as Danny, a local builder and survivalist who worked on G.H.’s house. Danny represents a different response to the crisis – preparedness and distrust of outsiders. While potentially a clichéd character, Bacon and Esmail worked to ground him as a staunch family man determined to protect his own. Esmail praised Bacon’s nuanced performance, which added dimensionality beyond the written page, transforming the character from a stereotype into a believable figure motivated by paternal instincts in a crisis.

• Previously In: Footloose, City on a Hill, They/Them, The Woodsman, Mystic River, Hollow Man, Tremors, Apollo 13.

The Soundtrack: Crafting the Film’s Auditory Landscape

Sam Esmail paid particular attention to the music in Leave the World Behind, aiming for songs that weren’t overly familiar from extensive use in other media. He viewed the music as another character in the scenes, especially during a crucial dance sequence. He wanted a song that fit the mood but hadn’t been “oversaturated.”

The selected track, “Too Close” by Next, fit the criteria, allowing the scene to transition effectively from lightheartedness to darkness. This deliberate approach to the soundtrack adds another layer to the film’s atmosphere, creating unique auditory associations for the viewer.

Here is the list of songs featured in the Leave the World Behind soundtrack:

• Joey Bada$$ “THE REV3NGE”
• Kool & the Gang “Misled”
• Blackstreet “Never Gonna Let You Go”
• TV on the Radio “Winter”
• Next “Too Close”
• The Rembrandts “I’ll Be There for You – Theme from ‘Friends’”
• Nirvana “Breed”
• Eminem “White America”
• Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five “New York New York”
• OutKast “Roses”
• Pop Smoke “What You Know Bout Love”
• Nazar, Shannen SP “Bunker”
• Sufjan Stevens “America”
• ESG “Dance”
• ABBA “The Name Of the Game”
  Beyond apocalyptic thrillers, Netflix offers a diverse range of content, from dramas to action hits like the grey man, showcasing various cinematic experiences.
• Red Axes “What Is In Your Head”
• Beastie Boys “Shake Your Rump”
• Diana Ross “Upside Down”
• KPH “Welcome to the Party – Instrumental”
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Maps”
• LCD Soundsystem “All My Friends”
• Beck “Lost Cause”
• M83 “Kim & Jessie”
• Nancy Sinatra, Lee Hazlewood “Summer Wine”
• TNGHT “Higher Ground”
• 2Pac, Talent “Changes”

Conclusion

Leave the World Behind offers a compelling and unnerving take on the apocalyptic thriller genre, serving as a notable entry among End Of World Films On Netflix. Through its focus on a potential cyber attack and its impact on human behavior and relationships, the film provides a timely commentary on our reliance on technology and societal structures. With strong performances from its acclaimed cast, a thought-provoking narrative adapted from a celebrated novel, and meticulous direction, the movie delivers a suspenseful and resonant viewing experience. Leave the World Behind is now available to stream on Netflix, challenging audiences to consider what might happen when the world as we know it comes undone.