Netflix’s latest thriller, Leave The World Behind, has been met with rave reviews. Starring Ethan Hawke, Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, Mahershala Ali, and Myha’la, Sam Esmail’s apocalyptic film thrusts two families together to face an impending disaster.
But fans have noticed a small plothole, and whilst a minor gripe in the face of a shattered civilisation, Esmail has offered his explanation.
Roberts plays Amanda Sanford, who had organised a Long Island trip to escape New York and excessive screen time. Her daughter Rose (Farrah Mackenzie), however, is less enthused by the tech hiatus and is hell-bent on watching the finale of Friends.
Even amidst the ensuing disaster, Friends is firmly on her mind. It’s a pivotal plot point because the film ends with the theme tune for the beloved sitcom. But fans have been quick to point out one crucial detail that wasn’t addressed – Roberts had a cameo in the series that her on-screen daughter would have watched.
In ‘The One After The Super Bowl Part 2’, she played Chandler Bing’s love interest. Fans online hastily pointed out she also dated the late Matthew Perry.
Esmail took to Variety to clear it up, saying: “I say it’s funny, but I don’t think it’s a joke. I don’t think it’s a joke on Rose. I don’t think it’s a joke on the audience. I don’t think it’s a joke on Friends.”
He continued: “It’s a reminder that art is kind of a salve. The theatrical experience of watching this movie is so powerful because I’ve had the chance to see audiences respond to the ending three times now, and nobody really knows what to make of it.”
