Aarcflick

 The brilliance of Rumaan Alam’s novel “Leave the World Behind,” published in 2020 at a time when apocalyptic themes seemed eerily prophetic, lies in its deliberate omission. The narrative unfolds with an impending catastrophe and involves a group of New Yorkers vacationing in a remote location. Surprisingly, the novel never reveals the cause of the calamity, leaving readers with a lingering sense of unease. The film adaptation, directed by “Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail retains this lingering concern, but the reasons are clearly different. Starring Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke as Amanda and Clay Sandford, the film features an advertising executive and her teacher husband seeking a respite from urban life. Her retreat takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious blackout interrupts her idyllic getaway. Director: Sam Esmail Writers: Rumaan Alam, Sam Esmail Stars: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke As the narrative unfolds, the arrival of a man (Mahershala Ali) and his daughter...