Esmail's "Leave the World Behind": Apocalyptic Thrills Set to Rock AFI Fest
Sam Esmail's latest creation, Leave the World Behind, is set to make its global premiere as it kicks off the 37th AFI Fest next month. Starring icons and Oscar winners Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali, as well Ethan Hawke, a four-time Oscar nominee, and promising talent Myha’la, the film is an apocalyptic thriller ready to bring chills to the audience.
The movie from Esmail, renowned for creating the Mr. Robot and Metropolis series, will be launched on October 25th in a red carpet gala at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Roberts and Hawke star as Amanda and Clay, a couple who, along with their children Archie (played by Charlie Evans) and Rose (depicted by Farrah Mackenzie), are about to experience a vacation they'll never forget.
The family's tranquility is abruptly disrupted with the arrival of two strangers in the middle of the night, G.H. (played by Ali) and his daughter Ruth (Myha’la), who bear the alarming news of an enigmatic cyberattack. These unexpected guests seek sanctuary in the house, which they claim is rightfully theirs. As they grapple with this shocking revelation, both families have to confront a terrifying impending disaster that forces them to reassess their role in a world on the brink of collapse.
Kevin Bacon also delivers a notable performance in this film from Esmail Corp, Red Om Films, Higher Ground Productions, and Netflix Studios. The movie holds special significance for AFI, as its director, Esmail, is a graduate of AFI Conservatory, lending an additional emotional dimension to its premiere at the festival. The 37th AFI Fest will run from October 25-29, featuring not only red carpet galas like this one, but also special screenings, a world cinema showcase, documentaries, and short films.
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Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Armageddon knocking on the door of Hollywood's Chinese Theatre. Quite literately in the case of Esmail’s Leave the World Behind. You know things have taken a severe detour from Vacationland when Mahershala Ali shows up in the dead of night, claiming ownership of your Airbnb.
Isn’t it just like Hollywood to synchronize your worst nightmare into a two-hour feature? Certainly not a weekend getaway you'd want Tripadvisor to recommend. But for those of us peering from the other side of the screen, it's nothing short of tantalizing.
Esmail, no stranger to the labyrinth of human fear and resilience, seems to have gifted us a terrifying crystal ball of chaos. To have this mind-bending piece helmed by an ensemble of monumentally talented actors, we just might thank Esmail for this thrill ride in the dark.
Adding a dash of pride to the mix, Esmail, as a former pupil of the AFI Conservatory, takes to the stage like a victorious gladiator back in his home arena. Is the scene set for an impassioned acceptance speech on premiere night? Only time will tell.
The cherry on top of this apocalyptic sundae is that we are sure to be left clinging to our TV remote, involuntarily subscribing to Netflix for the umpteenth time, if only for a shiver of this dystopian tremor. Are we looking at the next Netflix sensation? Well, set a reminder for October 25, everyone. Hollywood Dynamics will be watching - with bated breath and a giant bucket of popcorn.
