Movie review
November 22, 2023 · 140 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
A white family rents a luxury Long Island home for a weekend getaway but faces a sudden cyberattack that knocks out all devices, followed by strange events like a tanker running aground and planes falling. Two black strangers arrive claiming to own the house and bring news of chaos in New York City, forcing the groups to share space as society appears to collapse. The story puts racial suspicion and a direct comment about not trusting white people at the center of the tension between the families.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Leave the World Behind.
Woke representation / casting
Prominent black leads in the homeowner and more rational roles contrast with the white family; racial suspicion drives early conflict and is clearly visible to audiences.
Woke political dialogue
One direct line frames distrust along racial lines in a crisis; other talk stays mostly practical but the racial comment stands out.
Identity-driven story themes
Race and class shape how characters judge each other and decide whom to trust; the narrative repeatedly returns to white characters’ prejudice and black characters’ experience with it.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Some conspiracy talk about elites or government plans to sow chaos and division; critiques tech dependence and class gaps but stays thriller-style rather than activist messaging on patriarchy, capitalism, or systemic identity issues.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Multiple conservative voices and outlets specifically called out the racial line, black characters’ portrayal as superior, and Obama involvement as pushing anti-white or divisive content.
Creator track record context
Esmail’s anti-establishment work and Alam’s consistent focus on race and racism in fiction provide supporting context; Obama executive production adds progressive production company association.
Production
