• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Leave The World Behind director reveals meaning behind Friends reference

Home> Entertainment> Netflix

Published 14:12 20 Dec 2023 GMT

Leave The World Behind director reveals meaning behind Friends reference

He opened up about the cryptic ending

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle

Unless you've been too preoccupied doing a movie marathon of all the Christmas classics, then you'll know that Netflix has released an absolute banger to the platform and people are going wild for it.

The psychological-thriller is packed to the brim with hidden symbolism, peculiar metaphors and a whole load of cryptic mysteries.

Check out the official trailer here:

While many viewers have rushed to share their fan theories and speculation, the meaning behind the bizarre Friends reference in Leave The World Behind has finally been explained by the film's director himself.

The flick was first released to the streaming platform a few weeks back (December 8) but it's clear the buzz around it is no where near dying down anytime soon.

Advert

The official premise for Leave The World Behind reads: "A family vacation on Long Island is interrupted by two strangers bearing news of a mysterious blackout.

"As the threat grows more imminent, both families must decide how best to survive the potential crisis, all while grappling with their own place in this collapsing world."

Julia Roberts in Netflix's hit psychological-thriller, Leave The World Behind.
Netflix

Boasting a star-studded cast including Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la and Kevin Bacon, Sam Esmail both directed and produced the film, which is based on the 2020 novel of the same name by Rumaan Alam.

Advert

Without giving away too much, the film ends with the characters trying to escape a bunch of weird goings on in the city and hiding out in a bunker.

In the final scene we see one character, Rose, played by Farrah Mackenzie, who was previously missing, finally find the bunker and pick up a DVD of the final season of Friends - which her on-screen mum Amanda (Julia Roberts) once starred in - which she then puts on.

As the opening theme song kicks in, the credits roll.

Many viewers were left beyond baffled by the ending - with some even hitting out that they felt 'cheated' by it.

Advert

But Esmail has since come to the rescue yet again to put all the confusion to bed once and for all.

Director Sam Esmail revealed the importance of the Friends reference at the end of the film.
Netflix

Explaining his decision to allude back to the hit 90s sitcom Esmail told Collider: "That was a big conversation that we had for a long time, and you run through all the sitcoms that are these classics that could potentially work but none of them really had that theme song that was so iconic.

"And, I have to stress this, the lyrics of that song were so perfect for how the film ends."

Advert

He went on to reveal: "I honestly don’t know what I would have done. There was a point where, after we ran through other options, I think I looked at the team and I said, 'I don’t think we can afford to lose Friends.'

"There’s no show that fits that moment more perfectly than that show, so we had to use all our powers to make sure that we got the rights, and we luckily did."

Well, it sure has had quite the lasting effect.

Leave The World Behind is currently available to stream on Netflix.

Featured Image Credit: Netflix

Topics: Netflix, TV And Film, Friends

Rhiannon Ingle
Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Senior Journalist at Tyla, specialising in TV, film, travel, and culture. A graduate of the University of Manchester with a degree in English Literature, she honed her editorial skills as the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the UK’s largest student newspaper. With a keen eye for storytelling, Rhiannon brings fresh perspectives to her writing, blending critical insight with an engaging style. Her work captures the intersection of entertainment and real-world experiences.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 hours ago
4 hours ago
2 days ago
  • an hour ago

    David and Victoria Beckham’s ‘feud’ with Brooklyn explained as Nicola Peltz’s friend calls out ‘toxic family ties’

    The alleged feud just keeps going, but where did it all start?

    Entertainment
  • 3 hours ago

    Rebecca Loos made bold David Beckham 'affair' admission 20 years later

    England footballer David Beckham was accused of having several extra-marital affairs behind wife Victoria's back - including with model Loos

    Entertainment
  • 4 hours ago

    Pete Davidson issues important message after Ariana Grande exposed size of his manhood

    Saturday Night Live comedian Pete Davidson dated Ariana Grande in 2021, before going on to enjoy a brief romance with Kim Kardashian

    Entertainment
  • 2 days ago

    Justin Bieber shares cute photo with son but fans are looking at something else entirely after spotting 'weird' detail

    The 'DAISIES' hit-maker has come under fire for his controversial online content several times before

    Entertainment
  • Meaning behind the deer in Netflix's Leave The World Behind
  • Director of Netflix's Leave The World Behind explains major Friends plot hole
  • Leave The World Behind director explains loud noise and why Archie lost his teeth
  • Netflix viewers shocked after discovering 'real message' in Leave The World Behind