Leave the World Behind (2023)
Film · Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Stream it, ifif you prefer psychological ambiguity and mounting dread over a clearly explained, action-heavy resolution.
An unsettling and stylized apocalypse thriller that relies on building dread rather than explaining its mysteries. It is a polarizing watch that prizes atmosphere and discomfort, likely to frustrate those who want a clear resolution to their suspense.
What Leave the World Behind is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this film feels like witnessing a slow-motion car crash through a highly polished lens. It is intensely claustrophobic despite the spacious setting, using unsettling camera angles and a jarring score to maintain a constant state of unease. The pace is deliberate, eschewing traditional action for a mounting sense of confusion as societal structures quietly crumble in the background. It prioritises the psychological breakdown of its characters over the mechanics of the disaster itself.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is ideal for viewers who enjoy high-concept, talky dramas that explore human behaviour under extreme pressure. However, those seeking a conventional disaster movie with heroic feats and tidy explanations should steer clear. The film leans heavily into its own artifice, which can feel self-indulgent to some. A significant caveat is its two-hour-plus runtime, which occasionally stretches the thin plot to its breaking point.
The right evening for it
It suits an evening where you are prepared to feel deeply uncomfortable and want something to argue about once the credits roll. It is a cynical, provocative piece that pairs well with a dark room and a focused mind.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
If you like this, try
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
the same clinical, unsettling tone and sense of impending doom
Knock at the Cabin (2023)
an isolated home invasion setup set against a potential global apocalypse
Funny Games (1997)
the power dynamic between unwelcome guests and a family in a holiday home
Suggested by our AI for what they share with this one. Linked titles have a page here; the rest are worth a search on the browse page.
What it is about
A family's getaway to a luxurious rental home takes an ominous turn when a cyberattack knocks out their devices—and two strangers appear at their door.
Trailer
More clips
Trailer · Official Trailer
Teaser · Official Teaser
Clip · Exclusive Clip
Featurette · Mahershala Ali & Ethan Hawke On Leave the World Behind Dance Scene, Being Girl Dads
Stills
Images from TMDB.
Questions people ask
- Is Leave the World Behind a tense film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Tense. An unsettling and stylized apocalypse thriller that relies on building dread rather than explaining its mysteries. It is a polarizing watch that prizes atmosphere and discomfort, likely to frustrate those who want a clear resolution to their suspense.
- How long is Leave the World Behind?
- Leave the World Behind runs 140 min and was released in 2023.
- Is Leave the World Behind worth watching?
- It depends: if you prefer psychological ambiguity and mounting dread over a clearly explained, action-heavy resolution. TMDB users rate it 6.4 out of 10 from 3,436 votes.
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