Leave the World Behind is a psychological thriller directed by Sam Esmail, based on the novel by Rumaan Alam. The film explores the fragility of modern civilization and the human psyche in times of crisis.
The story follows Amanda (Julia Roberts) and Clay (Ethan Hawke), a middle-class couple from New York who rent a luxurious house in Long Island for a weekend getaway with their two children. Their peaceful retreat is abruptly interrupted when two strangers, G.H. Scott (Mahershala Ali) and his daughter Ruth (Myha’la Herrold), arrive late at night claiming to be the owners of the house. They explain that a massive cyberattack has caused widespread power outages and communication failures across the country.
As the situation outside grows more mysterious and unsettling — with strange sounds in the sky, animal migrations, and the collapse of technology — tension builds inside the house. The two families, from very different racial and social backgrounds, are forced to confront not only their mistrust of each other but also the terrifying possibility that society itself is unraveling.
The film delves deep into themes of fear, privilege, survival, and truth in the digital age. Amanda’s skepticism and G.H.’s calm intelligence create a moral and psychological clash, while their children begin to witness the disintegration of the world they once knew.
In its haunting finale, Leave the World Behind poses a chilling question: when the systems that hold our world together collapse, what remains of our humanity? With stunning performances and atmospheric tension, the film offers a powerful reflection on the modern world’s dependence on technology — and how quickly it can all fall apart.
