Leave the World Behindis one ofJulia Roberts' most interesting movies, but it also creates a strange paradox involving the actor.Roberts' recent trend of thriller movieshas been exciting for her career, includingLeave the World Behind.
The movie follows a wealthy family, led by Amanda (Roberts) and Clay (Ethan Hawke), who rent a remote Airbnb to escape the city. However, the owner of the home, George (Mahershala Ali), soon arrives claiming that there is some sort of attack happening in the outside world.
The thriller becameone of Netflix’s most-watched movies of all timeand featured a terrific performance from Roberts. However, it also included a curious detail that creates an intriguing paradox.
Leave The World Behind’s Julia Roberts Paradox Explained
Roberts Exists As An Actor And A Character In This World
Leave the World Behindaddresses the fear of the collapse of society, but it also suggests that the reality of the movie Julia Roberts is starring in also includes the actor Julia Roberts. Amid all the mystery and suspense,Leave the World Behindincludes a subplot about Amanda and Clay’s young daughter, Rose (Farrah Mackenzie), trying to finish binge-watchingFriends.
Roberts is meant to be playing a character, but the movie establishes the possibility of Julia Roberts, the actor, existing in this story.
Within the context of the movie, which takes place in the present day,Friendshas been over for decades. However,devoted fans of the show will remember that Roberts actually appeared in an episode ofFriends. She played Chandler’s love interest, Susie Moss, in the season 2 episode, “The One After The Superbowl, Part 2”.
This creates an interesting question of what would happen when Rose was watching the second season ofFriendsand her mother suddenly appeared in the show. Of course, Roberts is meant to be playing the character of Amanda, but the movie establishes the possibility of Julia Roberts, the actor, existing in the same world as Amanda.
It’s a confusing paradox to consider, but hardly the only time such a thing happened. InThe Martian, the Council of Elrond fromThe Lord of the Ringsis mentioned despite Sean Bean, who played Boromir in that scene, being present inThe Martian.EvenFriendsdoes this when it mentionsDie Hardand later has Bruce Willis playing Paul.
This so-called “celebrity paradox” may feel like a plot hole and can spiral when you think about it too much, butit is the kind of thing that comes up with something as tied to pop culture asFriendsis.
Why Friends Plays Such A Big Role In Leave The World Behind
Rose’s Obsession With The Show Speaks To The Grand Themes Of The Movie
The use ofFriendsas an ongoing aspect of the movie may seem strange, especially as it plays into theending ofLeave the World Behind.With the world outside collapsing, Rose discovers a lavish home with a bunker stocked with food and necessities, including the DVD box set ofFriends.
When everything they fear comes to pass, Rose finds a way to find comfort, predictability, and closure, making her happy in this harrowing moment.
The movie ends withFriends' iconic theme songplaying as Rose finally sits down to enjoy the show’s finale. The upbeat song juxtaposes the devastating situation unfolding in the outside world. It makes for a memorable ending, but the importance of the show lies in the broader themes of the movie.
Leave the World Behindsees this isolated group of people seeking safety and comfort as they are faced with an uncertain future. What becomes more apparent is that such assurances are impossible. When everything they fear comes to pass, Rose finds a way to find comfort, predictability, and closure, making her happy in this harrowing moment.
The use ofFriendsalso speaks to the value people put on media as a source of comfort. She finds a bunker that could provide safety for her and her family, but her only concern in that moment is the show. It is a dark and satirical message that has become one of the most discussed aspects ofLeave the World Behind.
