Leave the world behind from Netflix, is receiving the kind of attention that a film on the platform rarely achieves. In addition to being enjoyable (or not) for audiences, the film also sparked all sorts of conspiracy theories. The plot, which deals with a global catastrophe about which it explains little, is a summation of several collective fears of the last decade. From cyberattacks on the Internet and traditional media to civil war in the midst of an ideologically divided North America. The plot explores much of the contemporary angst of two families in the midst of a crisis.
But what seems to be more sinister is the collection of curious data included in the argument in allegorical form. Hints at foretelling a violent future, the influence of powerful elites over apocalyptic events, and supposed diabolical overtones. The plot provoked all sorts of analysis, which was reinforced by its ambiguous and mysterious ending. Gradually, what began with comments to X And TIK Takis becoming an increasingly popular and at the same time frightening trend.
We leave you with five conspiracy theories related to Leave the world behind and where they come from. And also how it is analyzed on platforms and how true some of it may be. Sam Esmail’s curious mixture of pop culture and social terror makes Sam Esmail’s film a rare event in the world of cinema.
The Obama family is involved in the production
This theory stems from the fact that the former president’s production company is behind the credits. Higher ground production, has a deal with Netflix for feature films and TV series, including Leaving the World Behind. But what appears to be causing concern online is that Sam Esmail has admitted that the former president was his adviser on key issues. This, of course, includes how the threads of power move behind the scenes of American politics.
The director asked Barack Obama to analyze what the real vulnerabilities of today’s society are. Something that is emphasized repeatedly in the plot. Thus, some interpretations of the film suggest that this may be an indirect message from Obama. In the worst case, a specific warning about what may happen in the near future.
Beyond that, there is enormous distrust of Obama. Both Barack and Michelle are considered part of the so-called globalist ruling class. This is supposed to have to do with how power works in the US and who has direct access to its prerogatives. The film, without delving into this topic, contains enough innuendo to be confusing. Much more when gradually, The great implication of the scenario is the possibility that the control group caused the collapse of the country.
Evil Cabal
Another scary thing about the film is the mention on social media of an old conspiracy theory about a power cabal. In other words, a group of businessmen, politicians, scientists and owners of various industries essential to North America form a shadow government. Leave the world behinduse a brief mention of something similar, who could be behind a serious attack on communications, and then the explosion of New York.
The dispute does not specify who it could be, but nevertheless, it persistently mentions this topic. Particularly in the scene where George (Mahershala Ali) talking to Amanda (Julia Roberts) about what could happen. In the middle of both of their theories, he remembers a conversation with one of his clients that has great political significance. He then adds that by asking him to make a transaction for a significant amount of money, he is making it clear that he will be away for a while. To which George laughs it off, insisting that there is an evil cabal.
To his surprise, the client does not contradict him, but rather assumes that he is right. Of course, the presence of the Obamas as producers and the insistence on veiled reference to the issue reinforces the impression that this would not be entirely coincidental. Something that started entire trends on Tik Tok.
Civil war at the door
Another charge leveled against the film is that it predicts civil war and promotes belief in a self-fulfilling prophecy. That is: to show how a military event or collective chaos is likely to occur. The final scenes of the film reveal: that although everything that happened seems to be the result of an external attack, in fact it is a social explosion.
Something is clear from the last scene, in which Rosie (Farrah McKenzie) enters the bunker of a nearby house and a digital screen describes the situation. From biological and radioactive attack in urban centers to internal attack on centers of power. The list clarifies that the conflict is more than just a confrontation between two countries. The conspiracy theory has its origins in all those who suggest that the continuous repetition of collective misfortunes in cinema is not the product of chance. This is actually a way to prepare the population for such events so that they know what to expect.
Troubling Symbols in Leaving the World Behind
As if all of the above weren’t enough, the film has been accused of filling its marketing campaign with all sorts of apocalyptic symbolism. From an acrostic poem with the actors’ last names on one of their posters with the word BAAL (pagan god) to religious allegories. The plot is structured to invite double reading.
In the first scene where Clay (Ethan Hakwe) and Amanda are arguing, the number 666 is shown. As the couple talks about the unexpected journey that awaits them, the camera shows the number 6 in a coffee cup and the same number on an analog alarm clock. Finally, on a digital watch, the number flashes unmistakably. A number known in popular culture because it is associated with a somber passage from the Catholic Bible: Revelation 13:18, which talks about the number of the beast. That is, a symbol that will identify the so-called Antichrist.
T-shirts with subliminal messages
In one scene, the main couple’s children explore a barn near the house where they are staying. As they mutter about apocalyptic horrors and other terrifying topics, the camera zooms in on them in a wide shot. Arche (Charlie Evans) wears a T-shirt that imitates the Obama campaign’s typography, with a figure with a distorted face. Above you can read the word OBEY (obey, in English), which is part of some conspiracy theories about powerful groups and hidden messages.
But it turns out even more creepy that RosShe’s next to him, wearing a T-shirt with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration logo. The way they both stand makes one reading of the word combination obvious. Obey NASA.
This establishment has become the subject of rumors of a cover-up of serious celestial and extraterrestrial events. The strangest?, who uses alien technology and hides his knowledge of what could happen with the possible arrival of life from other planets. Which also includes control methods to important information fails to reach large portions of the American public.
Matthew Perry and Friends, another moment in conspiracy theories
Oddly enough, the feature film is full of references to the classic sitcom. Friends. But what might seem like pop culture references gets a little weirder when many of the show’s references come at horrifying moments. From indicating the decline in connections with the outside world, to the title of the last part of the feature film. The truth is that the appearance of images and dialogue from the classic does not seem completely random.
Director Sam Esmail admitted that this is not so, and in an interview with the publication Tudum, explained that it is about reflecting collective escapism in catastrophic events. However, the fact that Matthew Perry published a book last year called Friends, lovers and the big bad thingsparked all sorts of comments online. Moreover, the film features Julia Roberts, who for some time was the actor’s partner and his confidant.
Additionally, the constant appearance of images and dialogue in the series seems to indicate the end. As well as several parts of the biography of the late actor, which devoted entire chapters to death and pain. Some conspiracy theories insist that the mention of Friends along the tape.
Source: Hiper Textual
