In the realm of thought-provoking end-of-the-world tales, Leave the World Behind has emerged as one of the most relevant flicks of 2023 by highlighting humankind’s reliance on technology. After her unmissable cameo on Friends over a decade ago, Julia Roberts showcased her tremendous talent as the central character in the new apocalypse-themed flick. For those that have already seen the flick that recently appeared on Netflix, the Friends references in it came as a nostalgic revisit to the show’s glory days. 

The movie’s director now reveals why the sitcom was at the forefront of its happenings. Disclaimer: Spoilers ahead!

Friends’ relevance in the end-of-times flick

In Leave the World Behind, the daughter, Rose had a certain obvious obsession with Friends. While this arc was merely a “passing remark” in the Rumaan Alam novel that the flick is based on, the film’s director, Sam Esmail told USA Today why they turned it into a separate “storyline” altogether. Ultimately, the flick was centered around Rose’s quest to find out what happens between Ross and Rachel in the 10-season-long series, which became the flick’s “hearbeat”. 

When her family takes off on a short vacation, Rose planned on finishing the series’ last episode on her trip. However, as the world around her starts crumbling, the youngin is deprived of the comfort of watching her favorite show, which she now needed more than ever. As the movie bounced around themes of sci-fi and human psychology, it circled back to the Friends-based arc multiple times all the way to the closing sequence of the movie. 

Until the end, the movie had viewers hooked to their screens, as it culminated rather anti-climatically.

What is Leave the World Behind about?

The Netflix-produced flick that also saw a gripping appearance from Kevin Bacon in its second half is a quintessential commentary on the threats of a cyber attack. After the central family encounters some unwelcome visitors on the trip, it quickly turned into an Armageddon-like scenario. Throughout it all, the characters’ resilience in the face of the horrifying reality kept audiences on the edge of their seats for a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Since there was no possibility in which Leave the World Behind could offer a truly happy ending, it ended with bittersweet notes of a civilisation’s collapse. The only silver lining amidst it all was when Rose was finally able to come across a bunker shelter that held the finale episode she so wanted to watch. While the flick does little to cheer one up, it certainly made many contemplate the realities of life.

What did you think of Friends taking the spotlight in Leave the World Behind? Do you reckon it was a redeeming factor in the film’s dire ending? Share your thoughts in the comments.