Apocalyptic psychological thriller films have their own unique charm for audiences that often leaves them questioning their understanding of life. One of the most lauded recent films in this genre is Netflix's "Leave the World Behind."
The film is based on a 2020 novel with the same title by Rumaan Alam. It featured an all-star cast such as Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, and more. The film is known for leaving a very open-ended ending that can be interpreted in different ways.
Regardless of the ending, "Leave the World Behind" was a genius for depicting eerie moments that left a thin line between fiction and reality.
Ready to blow your mind? Here are some scenes from "Leave the World Behind" that will boggle your mind:
References to Real-World Disasters
The film is divided into five parts: The House, The Curve, The Noise, The Flood, and The End. Each part has its distinct sequence which walks through the audience to the imminent result. As the film progresses, several references have been made to real-world disasters that shocked humankind before.
For instance, the Havana Syndrome was a phenomenon that happened in 2016 wherein people suffered from suspected symptoms brought on by a secret sonic weapon. In the film, there were several instances in which a high-frequency sound was blasted that shattered glasses and potentially led to Archie's teeth falling out.
Exploring Depths of Humanity
During the early moments of the film, the impromptu vacation is disrupted when the owners of the vacation house show up unannounced due to a blackout and signal breakdown. This creates a tense vibe between the two families as both Amanda and Ruth distrust each other.
Although both families have bonded through the situation, Ruth confides in her father and makes him promise to always believe and protect her even if the situation gets worse.
Nature Knows Best
Deers made a creepy entrance in the early moments of the film. Later on, they will appear as a herd in the forest. Other migratory animals like flamingos and birds were also shown to be relocating.
These scenes indicate that animals are capable of telling the situation by safely navigating their way into a safe neighborhood like Long Island. The characters, despite being scared of the animals, will eventually take the hint that something bad is happening to the world.
Man vs. Man
When Archie's teeth fall out, both fathers set on a trip to Danny, a firm believer in the apocalypse, and is equipped to deal with any scenario. Despite being friends, G.H. pulled a gun on Danny when the latter declined the request for medicine.
Later on, G.H. explained that people will start to turn against each other since there are no definite enemies in the war. He also explained that it was part of the three-stage military campaign that would lead to a coup d'etat.
Exclusive Resources for the Rich
G.H. made a few anecdotes about his wealthy client and despite being rich himself, he is not as rich as he should be to get exclusive insight into what is happening in the world. Before they left Danny's house, he talked about a bunker that a wealthy family requested to be built in secret.
By the end of the film, Rose finds the neighbor's house with an empty bunker. The place is full of resources from food, water, and even entertainment. There are also amenities like gym equipment to maintain a healthy body.
Most importantly, the bunker tour revealed that some people have an exclusive update on the situation in the city. Despite having a signal breakdown, they have their way of collecting information.
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