Leave The World Behind

Leave The World Behind is a 2023 apocalyptic thriller from Sam Esmail the creator of the Mr. Robot tv series. Two families fates become intertwined when a series of mysterious events turn humanity against itself with the only certainty that nothing may return to normal.The mystery is certainly the films charm, and the viewer is drawn in with what’s happening to the characters and what their motivations and intentions are, even if this does often raise more questions than provide suitable explanations and answers.  The premise is simple: essentially imagine renting an Air BnB on a relaxing weekend, only for national cyber attacks to kickstart a chain of events leading to collapse, and you and your hosts suddenly face the possibility and prospect of shared survival. This works for the film, the mystery of who’s pulling the strings, if anyone, or if in fact someone simply got the ball rolling to chaos. But this also may frustrate the viewer, there’s a start and a middle to the story , but no real end, as if the film is a glimpse into the world that the book it’s based on is no doubt a larger part of.  However it’s entertaining enough despite its shortcomings of perhaps leaving the viewer wanting a little more.