*Julia Robert’s new apocalyptic drama “Leave the World Behind” is currently the #1 watched film on the platform. 

Directed by Sam Esmail, the sci-fi feature was produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions.  Roberts co-stars in the film along with Ethan Hawk, Mahershala Ali, and Kevin Bacon. “Leave the World Behind” is adapted from Rumaan Alam’s 2020 novel of the same name, and centers on a family whose “getaway to a luxurious rental home takes an ominous turn when a cyberattack knocks out their devices, and two strangers appear at their door,” per IMDB.

Society unravels in the Movie after technology and smart devices – such as phones, televisions, and EVs (Teslas), start failing.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk complained about this “inaccuracy” in the film. The scene that prompted a response from the billionaire shows Roberts and Hawke (who play a married couple) chased by self-driving Teslas that end up crashing and causing a vehicle pile-up. 

In response to the scene, Musk wrote on X/Twitter, “Teslas can charge from solar panels even if the world goes fully Mad Max and there is no more gasoline!”

Alam spoke to Variety about the deviations the film makes from his book and not giving viewers a proper conclusion at the movie’s end, saying: “Wouldn’t that be so dissatisfying? It’s a film that respects you as a viewer enough to not provide that. In that final scene between Julia and Myha’la, they don’t embrace.”

Alam added, “Even prior to that, when they’re in that little shed and come to a détente, Ruth acknowledges that there’s some truth to the things that Amanda has said, that they’re in agreement about something, but it doesn’t end with a hug. It’s not that kind of story. I have no problem with like a big disaster movie that saves the six or eight principals and reunites them in the aftermath of a disaster and allows you to be like, “Well, everything’s gonna be okay.” I just don’t think this is that kind of film.”

Several social media users slammed the film’s ending, while others criticized the haters for missing the movie’s overall message. One X/Twitter user wrote: “The fact that everyone is upset about that ending from the movie Leave The World behind instead of actually LISTENING to what might possibly happening in our future as a reality is the real disappointment here. Instead of being angry, people should really take notes.”

In his Variety interview, Alam explained the reference to the beloved “Friends” series at the movie’s end (SPOILERS BELOW).

“To end with the particular jolt of humor that [Sam] does is so satisfying and so rewarding,” said Alam, per Variety. “It’s sort of self-reflective because he’s a filmmaker. He’s also worked in television, and he’s sort of asserting something about the power of that medium, and its hold over this one character. I say it’s funny, but I don’t think it’s a joke. I don’t think it’s a joke on Rose. I don’t think it’s a joke on the audience. I don’t think it’s a joke on “Friends.” It’s a reminder that art is kind of a salve. The theatrical experience of watching this movie is so powerful because I’ve had the chance to see audiences respond to the ending three times now, and nobody really knows what to make of it. They’re like, is this funny? Is this scary? Is it really over? And I love that so much.”

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