? ON THE TUBE TONIGHT-
(all times CLT)

Leave the World Behind makes the apocalypse relatable. A family is stuck at their vacation rental in the seaside community while the makings of a doomsday unfold in neighboring New York after a cyber blackout ensues. When the family they rented from comes back to seek refuge in their home, everyone must come together under the same roof to survive.

This film seems to follow the trend of Netflix-produced apocalyptic films that are released towards the end of the year, such as Don’t Look Up, starring Leonardo Di Caprio and Jennifer Lawrence.

Normal folk lead this apocalyptic film. No larger-than-life military experts, no Chuck Norris-esque heroes, geeky-scientists, or talented survivalists — the protagonists of this slow burn thriller based on the novel by Rumaan Alam are just regular people. That’s what makes us more invested in the characters and their thoughts and fears.

A disaster movie that’s also a character study. Another reason to watch this film is how the plot is more interested in how normal people would react in such extreme circumstances, and how they come together or keep each other at a distance. There are also clear subtexts of a commentary on prejudice, where the returning home owners are African American and rejected by the renters despite being on their own property.

The star-studded cast also doesn’t hurt, nor does Sam Esmail on the director’s chair. Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, and Myha’la Herrold rise to the expectations of a brilliant performance, especially Herrold who really delivers the discussion of racism and vulnerability poignantly.

If you liked M. Night Shyalaman’s Knock on the Cabin you’ll definitely enjoy this one.We’d argue that Leave the World Behind is even more satisfying with a better ending and the added realism brings it all together.

You can catch this film tonight on Netflix.

Tags: