Leave the World Behind’s apocalyptic premise falls short
Leave the World Behind had all the right ingredients: an A-list cast, an ambitious premise, and the potential for a gripping thriller. Yet, somehow, this cocktail never quite hits the mark. Directed by Sam Esmail, the film attempts to balance social commentary with edge-of-your-seat tension but ultimately fumbles, leading to a frustratingly shallow experience.
The film follows two families who find themselves isolated in a luxurious vacation home amidst a nationwide blackout. The setup suggests an ominous, slow-burn thriller with psychological depth. And for a moment, it seems like we might be in for a nuanced exploration of human nature under pressure. However, the narrative quickly loses steam, falling into predictable tropes and melodrama. The characters’ interactions, initially tense and layered, gradually become clichéd, their reactions seemingly contrived rather than the natural outcome of their circumstances.
Despite its shortcomings, Leave the World Behind isn’t entirely without merit. The cast—particularly Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali—give strong performances, bringing an emotional weight that the script itself often lacks. Roberts captures the growing unease and desperation of a mother trying to protect her family, while Ali adds a complex, simmering intensity to his role. However, even their talents can’t save a screenplay that struggles to build upon its intriguing setup. The film teases at deeper themes, like race and class tension, but only skims their surface, leaving the audience yearning for a more meaningful exploration.
Sam Esmail’s direction creates a palpable atmosphere in the film’s early scenes. There are moments of genuine suspense, where silence and stillness evoke more fear than any action sequence could. Yet, this tension is undermined by a plot that never quite knows where it’s headed. The pacing suffers as the narrative drifts, with subplots that don’t lead anywhere and ominous hints that fail to deliver on their promise. What starts as an eerie, gripping ride soon devolves into a meandering drama with flashes of existential dread that feel unearned.
Visually, Leave the World Behind has its moments. The cinematography captures the isolation of the setting with haunting beauty, using the remote vacation house as a character in itself. However, the film relies too heavily on mood over substance, mistaking stylistic choices for genuine tension. The sound design, with its eerie quiet and sudden disruptions, adds an unsettling quality, but even this loses impact as the story meanders aimlessly.
In the end, Leave the World Behind feels like a missed opportunity—a film that sets the stage for a grand, thought-provoking narrative but stumbles in its execution. It’s not a total disaster, thanks to its strong performances and moments of atmospheric tension. However, the lack of a compelling, cohesive story leaves the viewer unsatisfied, much like a thrilling ride that promises a spectacular finale but ends with a disappointing thud.
