Netflix has assembled an extraordinary ensemble cast for its upcoming apocalypse thriller, “Leave the World Behind,” directed by the creator of “Mr. Robot,” Sam Esmail.

Vanity Fair has provided a sneak peek at “Leave the World Behind,” offering a glimpse into the film’s plot, insights, and a gallery of images from this highly anticipated movie.

In “Leave the World Behind,” Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, and Mahershala Ali take the lead roles, with Roberts and Hawke portraying a couple on vacation when the world descends into chaos.

The film is an adaptation of the 2020 novel written by Rumaan Alam.

According to Vanity Fair, “Mahershala Ali plays the owner of the property they’ve rented, who unexpectedly arrives in the middle of the night, seeking refuge in his own home with his daughter (Myha’la Herrold, known for ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’). Can they survive together, or will desperation drive them to turn on each other?”

Sam Esmail, the director, shared his perspective on the disaster genre, stating, “The disaster genre is one of my favorite genres, and the trick that we did in this film that differs from most disaster films is that in that genre, the focus—the priority of the storytelling—is on the set pieces.” He goes on to explain that in typical disaster films, spectacle takes precedence, while characters serve as a secondary element, reacting to the disaster as audience surrogates.

Esmail adds, “What I think Rumaan did so well in the novel, and what I tried to capture in the film, is to invert that and make the focus be on the characters and their reaction. The spectacle of the disaster is secondary and off in the distance.”

“Leave the World Behind” is set to arrive on Netflix on December 8, 2023. However, before its streaming release, the film will hit movie theaters nationwide on November 22, 2023.

It’s worth noting that the production of this disaster movie is under the guidance of former U.S. President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. The film promises to be a compelling and character-driven addition to the disaster genre, with a star-studded cast and a unique approach to storytelling.