Netflix has now unveiled the cryptic and creepy trailer for its upcoming thriller, Leave the World Behind. The Netflix original is based on the terrifying novel from author Rumaan Alam. The film comes from Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail, who has written and directed this feature. Leave the World Behind also sports an impressive ensemble cast that includes actors such as Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la, Farrah Mackenzie, Charlie Evans and Kevin Bacon.
The official synopsis from Netflix reads,
“In this apocalyptic thriller from award-winning writer and director Sam Esmail (Mr. Robot), Amanda (Academy Award winner Julia Roberts) and her husband Clay (Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke), rent a luxurious home for the weekend with their kids, Archie (Charlie Evans) and Rose (Farrah Mackenzie). Their vacation is soon upended when two strangers — G.H. (Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali) and his daughter Ruth (Myha’la) — arrive in the night, bearing news of a mysterious cyberattack and seeking refuge in the house they claim is theirs. The two families reckon with a looming disaster that grows more terrifying by the minute, forcing everyone to come to terms with their places in a collapsing world. Based on the National Book Award-nominated novel by Rumaan Alam, LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND is produced by Esmail Corp, Red Om Films, and executive produced by Higher Ground Productions.”
Esmail, in addition to writing and directing, also produces the film along with Chad Hamilton, Julia Roberts, Marisa Yeres Gill and Lisa Gillan. The executive producers of Leave the World Behind include such names as Barack and Michelle Obama, Tonia Davis, Daniel M. Stillman, Nick Krishnamurthy and Rumaan Alam.
The director recently worked with Julia Roberts in 2018’s Homecoming and told Netflix that he knew she was the ideal actor for this new movie, “What’s really great about casting someone like Julia Roberts is that you don’t have to worry about the likeability factor. Julia has the uncanny ability to channel the humanity out of any character, regardless of how flawed they may be.” He would also glow about casting Mahershala Ali in this movie, “Mahershala’s poignant everyman quality mixed with his undeniable charisma make it nearly impossible for him to deliver a substandard performance. That was what G.H. needed, a deep-hearted accessibility that lets him be your avatar into the story.”