Leaving the World Behind: An Electrifying Encounter with Mr Robot-Inspired Paranoia

Netflix is following up "Don't Look Up" with "Leave the World Behind," a gripping apocalyptic thriller that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Starring big names like Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, and Ethan Hawke, the film is the first fictional movie by the Obamas' production company, Higher Ground, marking a major milestone in their partnership with Netflix. This new movie promises to be edgy, unsettling, and genuinely clever, building on the success of writer-director Sam Esmail's previous work on "Mr. Robot."

Based on the novel by Rumaan Alam, Esmail's film adaptation has a cinematic quality that at times resembles a live theater performance, allowing for extended dialogues between characters. While some of these conversations may seem awkward, they are interspersed with jarring visuals and a dissonant soundtrack, providing a glimpse of the apparent chaos unfolding, much of it discreetly off screen.

Amanda (played by Roberts) and her husband Clay (Hawke) have rented a house in a secluded part of Long Island for a family vacation with their two teenagers (Charlie Evans and Farrah Mackenzie), the latter of whom is comically fixated on "Friends" and is preoccupied with finishing her binge watch despite the chaos unfolding around them.

After an unusual incident at the beach, a man called G.H. (Ali) arrives, claiming to be the owner of the rented house, accompanied by his adult daughter, Myhala from "Industry". He appears visibly perturbed by the unfolding events and the lack of access to media due to a cyberattack-induced blackout. It becomes increasingly clear that G.H. may be hiding crucial information as the sense of unease intensifies and strange occurrences persist.

Mahershela Ali, Myha'la, Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke in "Leave the World Behind," from writer-director Sam Esmail.

Jojo Whilden/Netflix

By dividing the movie into chapters, "Leave the World Behind" takes on a more literary tone, delving into themes of trust, race, and class. The ambiguity of the plot immerses the viewer in the characters' experiences, shedding light on the fragility of our digitally interconnected world. Esmail previously touched on similar themes in "Mr. Robot," and Alam's novel further explores society's vulnerability on both a small and large scale, drawing inspiration from a classic "The Twilight Zone" episode while modernizing it for today's audience. (Note: To disclose which episode would contain spoilers.)

The film "Dont Look Up" used exaggerated satire to convey its message about obliviousness and indifference to the climate crisis. In contrast, Esmail's film delivers a sobering message with a blend of horror and the paranoid thrillers of the 1970s. It challenges viewers to think and effectively prompts them to do so. It is worth noting that while Netflix has given the movie a theatrical run, its impact will likely be greater when viewed at home.

"Leave the World Behind" is intended to spark conversations that go beyond simply deciding whether or not to hit the "like" button. Esmail deserves credit for creating a movie that is captivating and thought-provoking, no matter how one may feel about it. "Leave the World Behind" will be available to stream on Netflix starting December 8, and it is rated R.