Films

Netflix's Leave the World Behind: What is the conspiracy theory involving the Obamas?

Leave the World Behind is the new psychological thriller on Netflix that has been thriving in recent weeks and has become entangled in a sinister conspiracy theory, along with the Obamas. Here, check out what the rumor is about.

Ethan Hawke, Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali and Myha'la in Leave the World Behind.
© IMDbEthan Hawke, Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali and Myha'la in Leave the World Behind.

Netflix has been frequently refreshing its catalog, and one of its latest additions is a family drama based on Rumaan Alam‘s novel, Leave the World Behind. Not only does it boast a stellar cast, including faces like Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke, but in recent days, it has been trending for a peculiar reason.

The film has become entangled in a conspiracy theory directly related to the Obamas, former President of the United States Barack and his wife Michelle. It all began after the title became the most-watched on the platform earlier this month, and users discovered the conclusion of the story.

One of the many peculiar details surrounding the film is that political figures are connected to the project, serving as executive producers through their company, Higher Ground Productions. However, this is not all, and the majority of viewers have started to piece together the puzzle…

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How are the Obamas involved in Leave the World Behind?

In addition to the Obamas being involved in the project as executive producers, many social media users have started spreading conspiracy theories about the title and its connection to the former president. One of the comments is linked to the fact that it is an adaptation of Alam’s book, which is one of Barack’s favorites.

Netflix's Leave the World Behind.

Ethan Hawke, Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali and Myha’la in Leave the World Behind. (Source: IMDb)

The politician admitted that he was always interested in bringing the story to the big screen, as he fell in love with the narrative after its publication in 2020. This is how he became involved in the development of the script by providing notes that followed the general line of the novel.

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On the other hand, some users claim that the decision of the couple to produce this specific film is not a coincidence, as at one point it discusses a possible civil war in the United States. One theory suggests that it is a revelation of a plan that could be carried out, as if Michelle and her husband were disclosing what is going to happen or what the plan is.

What happens in Leave the World Behind?

According to IMDb, Leave the World Behind depicts how a family vacation on Long Island is interrupted by two strangers bringing news of a blackout. As the threat grows, they must decide how to survive the crisis while facing a world that is collapsing.

However, the synopsis doesn’t capture how everything worsens as chaos ensues among the main characters, portrayed by four top-tier stars: Ethan Hawke, Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali and Myha’la. The ending is quite ambiguous, and it is the character of G.H. Scott, along with Clay and his son, that has sparked conspiracy theories.

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Spoiler Alert!! – In a scene where these three key figures in the plot are present, one of them reveals the theory about what happened. It turns out to be nothing less than a plan to destabilize the citizenry and trigger a civil war and/or a coup.

Scott is the one who reveals a three-stage plan to overthrow the government from within, starting with breaking communication channels to isolate the population, as well as transportation. The second stage involves carrying out synchronized chaos, with seemingly subtle attacks to create instability, fear, and disinformation.

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This would lead society to turn on itself, paving the way for the third and final part of the plan, which is to execute the coup and a war among citizens, culminating in an imminent collapse of the country. The film portrays this as the easiest way to destabilize the nation, especially a powerful one.

Ariadna is a versatile journalist who covers a broad spectrum of sports topics and creates evergreen content. Her career in journalism began in 2021 at Indie Emergente, a digital music magazine, where she honed her skills in writing and reporting. In 2023, she expanded her repertoire by contributing to Spoiler Latinoamerica, where she created general culture content, before joining Spoiler US in 2024 to write entertainment pieces. With over four years of experience across different media outlets, Ariadna brings a wealth of knowledge and an expanding influence to the field of journalism.

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