>*"Those are... flamingos."*

What in the nonplussed, haunting soliloquy was that?! Went in completely blind and that was the right choice. It felt like watching an M. Night Shyamalan movie. It's essentially a psychological drama comedy with a "mysterious event" happening in the background—a great mix! The characters are interesting, the drama works because of this and some well-placed sharp comedy. It's weird, creepy and the mystery is intriguing.

This was actually my first time seeing Julia Roberts in a movie and she was hilarious. Really good acting from everyone. Myha'la is a newfound favorite. Simple yet effective suspenceful score, artistic visuals, nice camerawork and editing. The back and forth between two suspenceful scenes technique is done really well here. Incredible how many themes this movie tackles, there's always something to disect on-screen.

Some weird nonsensical character decisions that are a bit frustrating at times. Too long of a runtime which would make a rewatch difficult, it was totally possible to trim down. Favorite moments are the boat scene and the Tesla scene—on the edge of my seat! I thought the ending was perfect. There are sooo many clues and hints dropped throughout the movie that there's no way it could feel unresolved at the end.

I've never watched *Friends*

I hate movies like this. While good enough to keep you watching for 2 hours, waiting for more, the ending is so bad, that all you are left behind is, I wasted 2 hours of my day. I usually give mediocre movies a pass, but this is not necessarily a bad movie, it's just the ending is so bad, that ruins the whole experience. I'm not a cinema/novel expert, but directors must know that for a thriller/suspend to work, it begins with the ending. Anyway, I rarely write a review, but it is upsetting to be dragged along for 2 hours + to end like this. Most actors did a great job, even though some of the character's behavior were so odd within the context of the movie.


[spoiler] Also, tired of the woke Hollywood storyline's having to be inserted in the film with Myha'la's character, subtilling accusing Robert's character as racist because of her concern about the safety of her family when 2 strangers show up at the door of the house they are renting and later telling her dad "we can't trust white people". Thankfully, those are more roll your eyes moment than pervasive through the film, but it keeps with the race baiting theme being pushed in today's society. [/spoiler]

I can say straight up this will not be a movie for everyone, but it really clicked for me. I would also say a blind watch is preferable in movies like this, I went in knowing almost nothing and if possible I think that's the way to watch the movie if possible.

For me it was incredibly immersive once established, with incredible sound design and score. The slow build of tension, unease and dread as things unfold. I'll admit, I've always been a fan of mediums that give the viewer the same amount of knowledge of whats going on as the characters have, and this nails that.

The premise has a whole has been done many times before, including this years Knock at the Cabin, but I've not seen that or read the book it was based on. But in relation to the other similar films, this takes the top spot for me.

While the ending itself is probably the weakest part of the movie for me personally because it answers just slightly too many questions a little bit too easily, the journey to get there was still worth the time and I think the ending might still work for others.

For the most part Leave the World Behind, an adaptation of the novel by the same name directed by Mr. Robot's Sam Esmail. Some good performances, especially by Ethan Hawke, and some nice tension building between the two families. There is an excellent plane crash scene that is memorable. Kevin bacon is in it! I learned after watching this movie that it was produced by the Obamas, which is pretty weird.

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://fandomwire.com/leave-the-world-behind-review-a-thought-provoking-psychological-study-on-humanity/

"Leave the World Behind intricately intertwines Sam Esmail's directorial finesse with Rumaan Alam's thought-provoking source material, delivering a compelling exploration of familial dynamics, societal issues, and the impact of fear and uncertainty on human behavior.

While Esmail's adaptation steers towards a more straightforward apocalyptic thriller, it retains thematic depth, as the layered characters, portrayed by a stellar ensemble cast with Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali as brilliant standouts, serve as compelling conduits for these themes, offering nuanced reflections on contemporary society. Exquisite cinematography and a pulsating score contribute to a tense, immersive experience, despite occasionally distracting camera work, minor pacing issues, and repetitive narrative elements.

In the end, it's a profoundly interesting cautionary tale that everyone should see before the year's end."

Rating: B