Sam Esmail's "LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND"

Movie review by Dennis D. McDonald

As we watch as democracy is increasingly threatened in the US, I fear that the "new US Civil War" sub-genre of post-apocalyptic movies and TV series will become increasingly popular as Hollywood feeds on public fears. (Even Alex Garland has succumbed.)

This awful movie is a perfect example. It's a "B" movie with all the trappings and veneer of an "A" movie. There are loose plot threads, unconvincing dialog, strained attempts at social significance, and acting by pros who are not really convinced of what they are trying to convey.

A few set pieces are entertaining (self-driving white Teslas, for example). Otherwise I long for what someone like Roger Corman at the height of his powers might have made of this mess.

Review copyright (c) 2023 by Dennis D. McDonald