InLeave the World Behind, directorSam Esmailcrafts a narrative that blurs the lines between reality and illusion. The Netflix adaptation of Rumaan Alam’s novel, set in a secluded Long Island retreat, chronicles the unsettling experiences of a family whose peaceful vacation turns into an unforeseen nightmare. As the United States succumbs to a catastrophic cyberattack, two enigmatic visitors disrupt the family’s solitude, plunging them into a world where normalcy is distorted.
Esmail, in a conversation withCollider, delves into the symbolic essence of the peculiar deer that recurrently appear throughout the film. These deer are not mere background elements; they are integral to the film’s atmospheric tension. Esmail articulates thatLeave the World Behindis an experience that transcends conventional storytelling. He emphasizes that the film is designed to evoke emotions rather than to be dissected for logical coherence. According to Esmail, the deer symbolize a foreboding message from nature, a manifestation of the looming threat that the characters, and perhaps society at large, fail to acknowledge.
By intending the movie to shift from a tranquildream to a terrifying nightmare, the director hoped to create a compelling cinematic experience. Esmail’s commitment to this vision is palpable as he states:
“I wanted this film to feel like a dream that slowly turns into a nightmare.I was committed to that. That’s the experience that I was committed to giving the audience, and nothing for me ever got in the way of that. So, whenever people are trying to piece together the film in a purely detached, logical way, I think that doesn’t work, and honestly, I don’t think it works withmostfilms. I think a film has to be felt and experienced, and not necessarily thought through in that way.”
He challenges viewers to engage with the film on an emotional level, suggesting that seeking logical explanations may detract from the immersive experience he aims to provide.
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From Deer to Flamingos: The Evolving Animal Symbolism in Leave the World Behind
Interestingly,Leave the World Behinddoes not limit its use ofsymbolic fauna to the deeralone. An extraordinary scene with flamingos in the film brings an additional surreal dimension to the plot. This particular incident, involving the unexpected arrival of flamingos in a swimming pool, stands out as a distinct moment in the film. Unlike the deer, which reappear with increasing intensity, the flamingos' presence is fleeting, yet it contributes to the overall unsettling ambiance of the film.
As the narrative unfolds, the deer’s repeated appearances become increasingly disconcerting, culminating in a climactic encounter involving the animals and key characters, including Ruth (played by Myha’la) and Amanda (portrayed by Julia Roberts). This scene marks a pivotal moment in the film’s progression towards its enigmatic conclusion.
Leave the World Behindis currently available for streaming on Netflix, offering audiences a chance to delve into Esmail’s unique cinematic world.
Esmail showcases cinema’s ability to draw out a range of emotions, presenting narratives that engage viewers beyond surface-level interpretation. With its use of metaphorical visuals and engaging narrative style, the film prompts viewers to contemplate the nuanced interplay between reality and perception, a concept increasingly relevant today.
