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Leave the World Behind, Netflix’s adaptation of Rumaan Alam’s 2020 novel, is a well-executed psychological/apocalyptic thriller — and while I found a good amount to like, I can see why reactions have been split.
This isn’t a loud, effects-heavy disaster movie. Most of it unfolds in and around one location, with much of the tension coming from what we don’t know. The characters are unsure of what’s happening beyond their limited view — and the film makes sure we’re in that same uncertain headspace. I thought that worked in its favour.
The cast is strong. Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali, in particular, bring depth to roles that could’ve felt thin in lesser hands. There are a handful of bigger, more dramatic sequences sprinkled throughout — and when they arrive, they’re handled with precision.
Writer-director Sam Esmail, best known for Mr. Robot, brings a stylish approach. There’s a consistent tone — unsettling but not overbearing — and some strong thematic threads about technology, trust, and modern dependence. Not all of them land equally well. A few metaphor-heavy moments veer into heavy-handed territory, but others add interesting texture.
We’ve seen similar ideas before, but Leave the World Behind holds its own. It’s well-acted, confidently directed, and tense enough to keep you watching — even if it doesn’t quite stick every landing.
