Leave the World Behind (film)

Leave the World Behind is a 2023 American apocalyptic psychological thriller film directed by Sam Esmail. It is based on the 2020 novel of the same name by Rumaan Alam. The film stars Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, Myha'la Herrold, and Kevin Bacon.

The plot centers on a family whose vacation on Long Island is disrupted by two strangers seeking refuge from a sudden and unexplained blackout. As the power grid collapses and communication networks fail, the two families must navigate the escalating crisis and confront the breakdown of society. The film explores themes of race, class, technology dependence, and the fear of the unknown in the face of potential global catastrophe.

Leave the World Behind was produced by Esmail Corp, Redrum Films, and Higher Ground Productions. It premiered at AFI Fest on October 25, 2023, and began a limited theatrical release on November 22, 2023, before streaming on Netflix on December 8, 2023.