Ad Blocker Detected

We use ads to keep this site running, so please consider disabling your ad blocker. Thank you!

Do not know how to disable ad blocker? Check out this article: How to disable ad blocker?

Leave the World Behind

Leave the World Behind 2023

Directed by

Sam Esmail

Sam Esmail

Test your knowledge of Leave the World Behind with our quiz!

Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Leave the World Behind (2023). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


Misanthropic Amanda Sandford (Julia Roberts) organizes an unplanned weekend escape to a coastal vacation rental, hoping to bond with her husband Clay (Ethan Hawke) and their children, Archie (Charlie Evans) and Rose (Farrah Mackenzie). As Amanda anticipates this much-needed getaway from her bustling New York life, she notices a suspicious man buying an overwhelming amount of canned goods and water while grocery shopping.

During their trip to the beach, the family narrowly escapes an oil tanker that runs aground. Authorities later explain that a navigational system malfunction has caused multiple such incidents along the coast. Upon returning to the rental, they find that the TV and Wi-Fi are out of order and are startled when a pair of deer gaze at them.

That evening, George H. “G.H.” Scott (Mahershala Ali) and his daughter, Ruth (Myha’la Herrold), appear unexpectedly at their door, seeking refuge from the blackout. G.H. mentions that climbing the 14 floors to their apartment in the city is impossible due to his bad knee, while Ruth emphasizes that they belong there. Yet, Amanda remains doubtful about their story—prompting her to want proof of their identities, which G.H. struggles to provide.

The next day, the power outage continues to frustrate Rose, who is missing the finale of Friends. Amanda notices troubling news alerts on her phone regarding the blackout, including one that hints at a cyber attack. While Clay attempts to drive into town for repairs, he encounters reports of national chaos, including the discovery of a plane crash nearby.

Throughout the ensuing chaos, G.H. secretly retrieves a gun, revealing an unsettling tension beneath the surface. As the situation escalates, the family tries to escape this beach rental, only to find themselves trapped by a pile-up of self-driving cars, forcing them to seek solace back at G.H.’s home.

Amid these developments, familial bonds and surprising tensions surface. Rose’s desire to watch Friends continues to clash with the urgent realities around them, and the children experience unsettling encounters—like Archie stumbling upon a tick. In search of answers, G.H. and Clay reach out to a local contractor, Danny (Kevin Bacon), leading to a dramatic armed standoff that hints at a much larger conspiracy at hand.

As Amanda and Ruth try to reconcile their fears, they stumble upon a dire warning of impending chaos ahead—a spiraling narrative involving military strategies for societal destabilization that G.H. believes could lead to a coup d’état. Meanwhile, Rose discovers a neighbor’s bunker filled with ominous insights on radiation levels, sealing their fate in a world growing ever more perilous.

Throughout this gripping tale, haunting memories entwine with the strange happenings at the beach, illustrating how quickly a peaceful getaway can unravel into a night’s terror and chaos, leading to a shocking series of horrific events.

Timeline

Track the key events of Leave the World Behind (2023) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Weekend Getaway Planning

Amanda Sandford organizes an unplanned weekend escape to a coastal vacation rental. She hopes that this getaway will help her bond with her husband Clay and their children, Archie and Rose, amidst their busy lives in New York.

New York

Suspicious Grocery Encounter

While grocery shopping for their trip, Amanda notices a suspicious man purchasing an excessive amount of canned goods and water. This moment foreshadows the upcoming chaos they are about to encounter during their vacation.

Grocery Store

Oil Tanker Incident

During the family's journey to the beach, they narrowly avoid disaster when an oil tanker runs aground. Authorities later explain that a navigational system malfunction has caused this and similar incidents, adding tension to their getaway.

Coastal Waters

Technical Difficulties

Upon arriving at their rental, the family discovers that the TV and Wi-Fi are out of order. This disruption contributes to the unsettling atmosphere as they begin to feel cut off from the world around them.

Beach Rental

Unexpected Guests

That evening, G.H. Scott and his daughter Ruth arrive at their door seeking refuge from a blackout. G.H. shares that he had to climb 14 floors due to his bad knee, while Ruth insists that they belong there, raising suspicion in Amanda.

Beach Rental

Mistrust and Doubts

Amanda's doubts about G.H. and Ruth's identities grow as G.H. struggles to provide proof of who they are. The tension in the air thickens as Amanda's mistrust creates an uncomfortable dynamic in the house.

Beach Rental

News of Outages

The next morning, the power outage continues, aggravating Rose, who is missing the finale of *Friends*. Amanda learns of troubling news alerts regarding the blackout, hinting at a possible cyber attack that could explain the situation they are facing.

Beach Rental

Reports of National Chaos

Clay attempts to drive into town for repairs but encounters alarming news of national chaos, including reports of a plane crash in the vicinity. This information heightens the family's anxiety as they realize the larger implications of their predicament.

Coastal Town

Unfolding Tensions

As tensions escalate, G.H. secretly retrieves a gun, revealing hidden conflicts beneath the surface of their situation. The growing sense of danger forces the family to rethink their safety in an increasingly erratic world.

Beach Rental

Trapped by Chaos

In an attempt to escape the beach rental, the family finds themselves trapped by self-driving cars in a pile-up. This unexpected blockade leads them to seek refuge back at G.H.'s home, increasing their feelings of entrapment.

Children's Disturbing Discoveries

As unease spreads, the children deal with unsettling encounters, such as Archie stumbling upon a tick. These experiences highlight the innocence of childhood clashing with the sinister changes in their circumstances.

Beach Rental

Reaching Out for Help

G.H. and Clay reach out to a local contractor named Danny for assistance. This interaction leads to a dramatic armed standoff, foreshadowing a larger conspiracy and escalating their already precarious situation.

Coastal Town

Warning of Impending Chaos

Amanda and Ruth uncover a dire warning about chaos ahead, suggesting military strategies for societal destabilization. G.H. expresses the alarming belief that these events could lead to a coup d'état, pushing the family into deeper fear.

Beach Rental

Discovery of the Bunker

Rose finds a neighbor's bunker filled with ominous insights related to radiation levels. This unforeseen discovery seals the family's fate, illustrating the pervasive danger surrounding them in an increasingly perilous world.

Neighbor's Bunker

Peaceful Getaway Turns to Terror

Throughout their chaotic experience, haunting memories intertwine with the strange happenings at the beach rental. The family's once-peaceful getaway quickly unravels into a night filled with terror and unexpected chaos.

Beach Rental

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Leave the World Behind (2023) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Amanda Sandford (Julia Roberts)

Amanda is portrayed as a misanthropic mother seeking a break from her fast-paced urban life. Throughout the film, she grapples with doubts and fears, especially regarding the safety of her family. Her character embodies the struggle between seeking peace and confronting unsettling realities.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Family 😨 Anxiety 🔍 Mistrust

G. H. Scott (Mahershala Ali)

G.H. is a multifaceted character who represents both vulnerability and hidden motivations. As a father, he seeks refuge from chaos, but his struggles with trust and the burden of his past add depth to his character. His secretive actions hint at a more complex narrative unfolding within his family dynamics.

🤝 Refuge 🔫 Tension 🤔 Complexity

Rose Sandford (Farrah Mackenzie)

Rose is a young girl caught between her innocent desires and the adult tensions swirling around her. Missing the finale of her favorite show reflects her youthful naivety, while her encounters underscore the extraordinary circumstances forcing her family into an unfamiliar situation. She embodies the theme of innocence in chaos.

👧 Innocence 📺 Desire 🌪️ Chaos

Clay (Ethan Hawke)

Clay serves as a stabilizing presence amidst the turmoil, representing the traditional patriarchal role in family dynamics. He struggles to maintain his family's safety while dealing with the overwhelming events that spiral out of control. His character symbolizes the fight to uphold familial unity.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family 🤯 Chaos 🚗 Protector

Danny (Kevin Bacon)

Danny appears as a local contractor who gets entwined in the unfolding chaos. His interactions with the main characters add layers to the tension, as he represents the unpredictable nature of survival in a crisis. His role often oscillates between support and potential threat.

🔧 Local ⚠️ Tension 🔥 Crisis

Setting

Uncover the settings of Leave the World Behind (2023), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

Contemporary

The film takes place in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal issues such as technological vulnerabilities and existential threats. With the backdrop of a city experiencing a blackout and hints of cyber attacks, it mirrors real fears faced in today's world. This period is marked by a rapid shift from ordinary family life to a struggle for survival.

Location

Coastal Vacation Rental, New York

The movie unfolds at a coastal vacation rental, providing a stark contrast to the bustling life of New York City. This beach setting is meant for relaxation, yet it becomes the backdrop for escalating tension and chaos. The location is typically known for its tranquil atmosphere, which is shattered by unexpected disruptions.

🏖️ Beach 🏙️ Urban

Themes

Explore the core themes of Leave the World Behind (2023). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


🔗

Family Bonds

The theme of family bonds is central to the movie, showcasing the interactions and tensions among members of Amanda's family. As they confront external chaos, their relationships are tested, revealing both love and conflict. This theme illustrates the fragility of familial connections when faced with crises.

⚠️

Survival Instincts

Survival instincts are a key theme, as characters navigate the perils of a collapsing society. The film highlights how ordinary people react when placed in life-threatening situations. Fear and desperation drive them to make difficult decisions as they seek safety amid rising chaos.

🕵️‍♂️

Suspicion and Trust

Suspicion and trust weave a complex narrative throughout the film, particularly between the characters of Amanda and G.H. The uncertainty surrounding G.H.'s true intentions creates an atmosphere of tension. This theme explores how trust can be easily eroded in times of crisis, leading to conflict and paranoia.

© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.