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Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke

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Old 10-02-23 | 08:20 AM
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Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
In this apocalyptic thriller from award-winning writer and director Sam Esmail (Mr. Robot), Amanda (Academy Award winner Roberts) and her husband Clay (Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke), rent a luxurious home for the weekend with their kids, Archie (Charlie Evans) and Rose (Farrah Mackenzie). Their vacation is soon upended when two strangers — G.H. (Academy Award winner Ali) and his daughter Ruth (Myha’la) — arrive in the night, bearing news of a mysterious cyberattack and seeking refuge in the house they claim is theirs. The two families reckon with a looming disaster that grows more terrifying by the minute, forcing everyone to come to terms with their places in a collapsing world. Based on the National Book Award-nominated novel by Rumaan Alam, Leave the World Behind is produced by Esmail Corp, Red Om Films, and executive produced by Higher Ground Productions.

Starring Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la, Farrah Mackenzie, Charlie Evans and Kevin Bacon.

Leave the World Behind will hit Netflix on Dec. 8.
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Old 10-04-23 | 08:31 AM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
Familiar territory for Sam Esmail but it'll probably be fun.
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Old 10-24-23 | 08:41 AM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
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Old 12-04-23 | 01:09 PM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
Out on Friday. Reviews: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lea...ld_behind_2023



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Old 12-08-23 | 09:43 PM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
Wow, I really enjoyed that. Very intense. Great acting, direction, screenplay, and cinematography. Some of the shots actually gave me vertigo. Highly recommended.
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Old 12-08-23 | 09:50 PM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
I thought it did a good job of building suspense and dread, and the performances were good, but I found the story ultimately unsatisfying. It's all build up and then it ends. And the final scene is too 'cute' and made my eyes roll.
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Old 12-08-23 | 10:02 PM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
I liked this. A lot.
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Old 12-08-23 | 10:28 PM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
Originally Posted by Cellar Door
I thought it did a good job of building suspense and dread, and the performances were good, but I found the story ultimately unsatisfying. It's all build up and then it ends. And the final scene is too 'cute' and made my eyes roll.
I didn't mind the ending at all. The story was so bleak at that time, it just showed a child doing what makes her happy. What's wrong with that? Or are you talking about the song that played over the credits? If so, I agree they should have chosen a score or no music at all.
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Old 12-09-23 | 08:53 AM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
Originally Posted by Daytripper
I didn't mind the ending at all. The story was so bleak at that time, it just showed a child doing what makes her happy. What's wrong with that? Or are you talking about the song that played over the credits? If so, I agree they should have chosen a score or no music at all.
A Netflix film advocating for physical media hoarding!
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Old 12-09-23 | 02:11 PM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
Originally Posted by Daytripper
I didn't mind the ending at all. The story was so bleak at that time, it just showed a child doing what makes her happy. What's wrong with that? Or are you talking about the song that played over the credits? If so, I agree they should have chosen a score or no music at all.
Like I said, I found that ending a little too cute. She's been complaining the entire movie about not being able to watch the last episode of Friends, and then as the world falls apart she finally is able to see it. It's just kind of ham-fisted. They might as well have had her turn to the camera and wink as the theme music played.

There were several things I liked about the movie, too. The plane on the beach, the Teslas, and the scene at Kevin Bacon's house were good. The scene where George and his daughter first show up and the dilemma that presents for both families is interesting. That conflict plays out for a while, but it should have remained a focus of the story for longer.
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Old 12-09-23 | 04:13 PM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
I just watched it today. I thought it was pretty good, but I didn't like the abrupt ending.
Spoiler:
I wanted it to go on longer. Maybe showing everyone else finding the house and getting set up in it and maybe showing things in the future after they'd been in there for awhile. A scene jump to a year or so later.


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Old 12-10-23 | 10:45 PM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
I enjoyed this a lot. I will say it is weirdly discomforting
Spoiler:
that a former POTUS produced a pro-prepper movie that features the line "Sometimes the most you can hope for is a heads up."



It kinda felt like an extended pilot for a series, and I'd definitely watch a follow-up. Seeking Friends for the End of the World.
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Old 12-12-23 | 06:44 AM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
I really enjoyed this... loved that far away shot of NYC going apocolyptic.
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Old 12-12-23 | 07:46 AM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
It was odd to see the Obamas get a production credit. This book was amazing and I kind of wish it had stayed truer to the book. I liked the movie but I think they went too far with Julia Roberts being so bitchty for the first 2/3rd of the movie. She became very unlikeable which is not the norm for her. I dont see myself watching this again any time soon. Maybe after a re-read down the road to see how far it deviated as it's been a year or more since I read the book.
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Old 12-12-23 | 02:20 PM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
I liked the plot a lot.

I wasn’t crazy about everything being over stylized. I think it is part of why I wasn’t immersed. Maybe it wasn’t right for the material, which is quite grounded in reality.

Also should we be worried that the Obamas wanted to tell this story?
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Old 12-12-23 | 02:22 PM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
Originally Posted by Troy Stiffler
Also should we be worried that the Obamas wanted to tell this story?
That made the whole thing creepier

Also I saw this earlier and it made me think of the movie: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/ycF...ibextid=saVFRo
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Old 12-12-23 | 02:24 PM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
Also, I don’t mean to discredit the filmmakers work. But this is basically directed and structured like an M Night movie.
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Old 12-12-23 | 03:52 PM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
Originally Posted by Troy Stiffler
Also, I don’t mean to discredit the filmmakers work. But this is basically directed and structured like an M Night movie.
Definitely gives off M Night vibes. During the first half or so of this movie, I was thinking of The Happening, and I haven't even seen The Happening. Some obvious Knock at the Cabin comparisons, too.
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Old 12-12-23 | 10:16 PM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
Will finish it up tomorrow and got about 3/4 through before I had to cut it off. We'll see how it ends but feels like Knock on the Cabinesque so far.
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Old 12-14-23 | 12:15 PM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
Remember everyone, stay away from us white People if we ever lose all power - we will turn into psychos and try to oppress you.
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Old 12-19-23 | 11:33 AM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
Originally Posted by Cellar Door
I thought it did a good job of building suspense and dread, and the performances were good, but I found the story ultimately unsatisfying. It's all build up and then it ends. And the final scene is too 'cute' and made my eyes roll.
Felt the same.
Spoiler:
And would a prepper have copies of Friends?

Too many puzzle pieces that didn't fit.
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Old 12-19-23 | 11:57 AM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
It definitely needs a part II
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Old 12-19-23 | 05:31 PM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
Spoiler:
A sequel would be fun to watch. That other Civil War movie comes out in spring.

I think the Friends ending was irreverent. It had a name to the episode. I think it is simply a way to end the story.

I liked the apocalyptic misdirection. I'd still like to see the movie where logical people just say what's happening. When you think about it, Mahershala could have been like, "here's what happening, here's the best we can hope for, here is what we'll do". Likewise, zombies will be much easier to handle when it actually happens. I guess, except for those unwilling to accept it's zombies and want to keep restaurants open and whatnot.
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Old 12-19-23 | 05:45 PM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
Originally Posted by Troy Stiffler
Spoiler:
A sequel would be fun to watch. That other Civil War movie comes out in spring.

I think the Friends ending was irreverent. It had a name to the episode. I think it is simply a way to end the story.

I liked the apocalyptic misdirection. I'd still like to see the movie where logical people just say what's happening. When you think about it, Mahershala could have been like, "here's what happening, here's the best we can hope for, here is what we'll do". Likewise, zombies will be much easier to handle when it actually happens. I guess, except for those unwilling to accept it's zombies and want to keep restaurants open and whatnot.
It seemed to me the ending was a cheeky metaphor for the theme of the story
Spoiler:
In disaster, you can't be insular, and rely only on family. For society to survive, you need to have friends.
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Old 12-19-23 | 09:25 PM
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Re: Leave the World Behind (2023, D: Esmail) S: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
I really enjoyed this. The Tesla scene freaked me out.
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