Leave the World Behind

New to Netflix, Sam Esmail brings his adaptation of Rumaan Alam’s novel. Having had enough of the day to day of her life Amanda (Julia Roberts) decides to book a luxury home for a short getaway with her husband Clay (Ethan Hawke) and her children. The house and the sleepy town it’s part of are perfect. But then a trip to the beach starts a series of events that change everything first an oil tanker runs aground on the beach, then Internet and TV fail. Finally two visitors arrive George (Mahershala Ali) and his daughter Ruth (Myha’la) claiming to be the owners of the house, forced to return to their home after a blackout in the City. There’s distrust on both sides and increasing frustration and desperation as it becomes clear that this is more than just a blackout.

This is an enjoyable tense psychological thriller. Which plays on the impact of been disconnected from society, the lack of information and of conspiracy. It also smartly uses the biggest of contemporary threats that of cyber attacks to critical infrastructure. And how a breakdown in infrastructure can lead to societal breakdown.

It’s also a film about people, prejudice, trust and the balance of helping others versus protecting your nearest and dearest.

The performances are what you’d expect from a stellar cast. Julia Roberts is great as are Ali and Hawke. Alongside them is an excellent performance from Myha’la as the suspicious, snarky, daughter who goes up against Robert’s world weary mother.

It’s well written, performed and shot, all of which is used to engage you in the unease and disorientation of those on screen, keeping you on edge.

If there is a criticism, it is this it is overly long (138m) which means it does drag occasionally. The ending may also be a little divisive.

Leave the World Behind is a smart psychological thriller. It is well performed and shot, keeping you on edge and engaged throughout. Its stellar cast deliver as you’d expect. While it is a little long and drags a touch at times it is a well done look at people at their best and worst.