Leave the World Behind: What is Netflix’s Apocalyptic Thriller About?

Over the past few years, Netflix has eagerly tried to secure its first Academy Award for Best Picture. In 2021, the streamer/studio had two films in the running with David Fincher’s Mank and Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7 yet ultimately lost to Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland. The following year resulted in Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog losing to Sian Heder’s CODA, produced by rival streamer/studio Apple TV+. Last year’s loss may have been the worst though, when Edward Berger’s All Quiet on the Western Front won four awards before losing the grand prize to the Daniels’ Everything Everywhere All at Once. Their latest of many attempts to strike gold will be in the hands of Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail and his adaptation of Rumaan Alam’s 2020 novel Leave the World Behind.