Leave the World Behind: On the red carpet with Sam Esmail and Myha’la Herrold

Apocalyptic thriller, Leave The World Behind is a cinematic adaptation of the 2020 novel from Rumann Alam with a screenplay from director Sam Esmail that tells a bleak story of wide-reaching devastation following an unexpected cyberattack.

A family of four, helmed by the parents, Amanda (Julia Roberts) and Clay (Ethan Hawke), set out on a vacation near Long Island where they decide to rent out a luxury Airbnb. Soon another family arrive claiming they are the owners, and due to a blackout in the city, they have decided to return to their property where they feel they are safe. Things start to take a turn for the worse as the two families try to navigate impending dangers and muddle through all their heightened emotions.

The Upcoming had the pleasure of speaking to the writer and director on the red carpet about why he chose to make this adaptation and the choices he made to form it into a cinematic feature. He also spoke to us about the casting process and what he hoped viewers would take away.

Myha’la Herrold spoke to us about what interested her about coming on board into her role as Ruth, working with such a visionary director and such a brilliant ensemble cast.

Ezelle Alblas

Leave the World Behind is released in select cinemas on 24^th November and on Netflix on 8^th December 2023.

Watch the trailer for Leave the World Behind here: