Leave the World Behind director tells viewers what he thinks happens to characters after controversial final shot

The ending of Leave The World Behind has finally been explained.

The eerie thriller follows two families faced with the collapse of civilisation as they know it. Check out the trailer for this chipper little number:

Be warned, there are spoilers ahead... obviously.

Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke star as a husband and wife looking to get away from it all.

So they pack up their things, load up the car and head out of New York to a small town just outside the city.

At first, everything seems to be tickety-boo, they've got a massive house for a few days, a pool, and a beach just a short drive away.

That is until two mysterious visitors stop by in the middle of the night with a very sinister aura.

And sure enough, not long after they arrive, planes fall from the sky, creepy drones start dropping menacing leaflets everywhere, and animals freak the f**k out.

Oh, and let's not forget that piercing noise... that has really stuck with viewers.

Netflix

Since it landed on the streaming site this month, it's safe to say that it's divided opinion among viewers - some love it, some hate it.

And that's in large part down to the ending, which doesn't exactly wrap everything in as neat a bow as most would like.

After Clay (Hawke) and G.H. Scott's (Mahershala Ali) characters get some much-needed medicine from local prepper Danny (Kevin Bacon), they plan on heading to a neighbour's house, where they believe there's a bunker.

Unbeknownst to them, though, Clay's daughter, Rosie (Farrah Mackenzie) has already sussed it out, finding her way into the state of the art apocalypse-proof hideaway.

The movie ends with the Friends-mad girl sitting down to catch up on the last ever episode - which she bangs on about throughout the whole movie - fading to black as the look of joy beams across her face.

Netflix

Well, there were plenty of viewers - me included - who were like, 'Wtf, lads?! What happens next?'

Does the world end? Do Clay and G.H. end up getting killed by a band of depraved, skull-carrying marauders?

So many questions, so few answers... that is until know, at least.

Speaking to Yahoo about the ending, the film's director Sam Esmail revealed what he thinks happens.

And it's good news.

"If you're asking my interpretation, I do think they make it to the bunker, yes," he said.

"That's what I would want, so that's what I imagine."

Now, the film's ending is actually different to that of the novel, which was written by Rumaan Alam.

Netflix

But despite the diversion, Alaam said he was very happy with it.

"To end with the particular jolt of humor that [Esmail] does is so satisfying and so rewarding,” he said.

“It’s sort of self-reflective because he’s a filmmaker. He’s also worked in television, and he’s sort of asserting something about the power of that medium, and its hold over this one character.

"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. It’s a reminder that art is kind of a salve."

Leave The World Behind is available to watch on Netflix now.

Topics: Netflix, TV and Film

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers is LADbible's Editorial Lead. After graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History, he went on to write for the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express. So as you can imagine, he’s spent many a night wondering just how useful that second language has been. But c'est la vie.

@SmithersDom