Here's What Happens to Rose at the End of Leave the World Behind
The movie Leave the World Behind features a cast of Mahershala Ali, Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Myha'la Jael Herrold, and Kevin Bacon, and offers a fresh take on the apocalyptic genre. Adapted from the book by Rumaan Alam, the story revolves around Amanda and Clay, played by Roberts and Hawke respectively, who take their children Rose and Archie on a vacation to a secluded cabin. However, their plans are disrupted when the owners of the cabin, G.H. and Ruth, show up unexpectedly, seeking refuge from an undisclosed catastrophe in the city. The plot takes an unnerving turn, making for a unique viewing experience.
The movie is similar to the book in that it focuses more on the escalating unease and mistrust between the characters in the aftermath of a catastrophic event, rather than exploring the reasons behind the collapse of society. One idea that surfaces is that this collapse may have been deliberately orchestrated to create chaos and division among the population, in an effort to weaken the country.
At the finale of Leave the World Behind, the audience will probably care more about the fate of the characters they've come to know rather than the precise details of the event that sparked the story. The movie culminates in a sudden twist as Amanda and Rose witness the city being bombed from afar. Rose then enters their neighbor's underground shelter and discovers two significant objects: an emergency broadcast revealing an impending nuclear war, and a Friends DVD. This leaves the conclusion on an uncertain note, leaving audiences curious about what will happen next.
As Rose presses the play button, the episode begins to unfold while "I'll Be There For You" by The Rembrandts plays in the background. However, this only causes confusion as it brings up more inquiries. Julia Roberts made a notable cameo in one of the initial episodes of Friends, yet she also acted in and produced this film. This leaves us wondering- what is reality?
What Occurs To Rose?
Author Rumaan Alam has recently shared in an interview with Variety that his book concludes with an element of uncertainty. Although Sam Esmail's adaptation deviates from the book's storyline in certain aspects, it still stays true to the story's emotional essence. The author further stresses that if the families in the story were brought back together at the end, it would have lacked the emotional depth that the story deserves.
He explains that the film is not of that genre. While he enjoys watching movies with a big disaster followed by the reunion of a smaller group of leaders and the reassurance that things will be better, this film isn't like those kinds of movies.
This movie provides a compelling theatrical experience because I've witnessed three separate audiences react to the ending. It's fascinating because no one seems to fully comprehend what just happened. People are torn between whether it's humorous, frightening, or if it truly marks the end of the film. This uncertainty is what I cherish the most.
Regarding what happens to Rose and Archie, Alam doesn't give a definite answer. He says he doesn't know for sure, and even Sam, the creator, doesn't know either. However, the ambiguity leaves it up to the viewers to interpret and make it their own. He isn't holding back a conclusive answer because he simply doesn't have one.
Philip Ellis is responsible for updating the latest news for Men's Health which includes topics such as physical fitness, popular culture, intimate relationships along with LGBTQ+ topics. Philip's written works can be found in many popular publications such as GQ, Teen Vogue, Man Repeller and MTV. Notably, Philip is the creator of the book called Love & Other Scams.
