Entertainment · Film · 1 hr ago
Michelle Obama Says People Ask if ‘Leave the World Behind’ Was a Warning
Michelle Obama says people ask whether Barack Obama knew something because he helped produce the Netflix film “Leave the World Behind.”
The 2023 movie, based on Rumaan Alam’s novel, follows two families during a disaster that threatens the United States.
It was the first scripted project from the Obamas’ production company, Higher Ground.
Obama gave writer-director Sam Esmail notes before filming, including suggestions about what might be realistic in a national crisis.
Esmail said Obama also thought some possible plot points were too bleak or unlikely and encouraged more empathy between characters.
Esmail rejected claims that the film was meant as a warning, saying Obama joined only a couple of months before filming began.
Michelle Obama discussed the questions on her podcast, where actor Mahershala Ali, who appears in the film, was a guest.
Michelle Obama said people ask whether her husband, former President Barack Obama, backed the film Leave the World Behind because he knew something.
The apocalyptic film was the first scripted project from the Obamas’ production company, Higher Ground.
Barack Obama was involved in preproduction and sent notes to writer-director Sam Esmail about what would be realistic in a national crisis.
Some viewers developed conspiracy theories that the film was intended as a warning, but Esmail dismissed them.
The film, based on Rumaan Alam’s novel, was released in 2023.
- Who
- Michelle Obama recounted the questions people ask about her husband’s involvement in the film.
- What
- People ask whether Barack Obama was trying to warn audiences through Leave the World Behind.
- When
- Michelle Obama discussed the film on her podcast “IMO” on Wednesday; the article was published on October 23, 2026.
- Where
- The film’s story is set in the United States, including Long Island.
- Why
- Some viewers formed theories that Barack Obama had a specific reason for backing the film as a warning. The sources do not state that he intended it as one.
Some viewers who saw the film as a possible warning
Sam Esmail, the film’s writer-director
Intent behind the film
Some viewers who saw the film as a possible warning
Some viewers developed conspiracy theories suggesting Barack Obama backed the film as a warning.
Sam Esmail, the film’s writer-director
Esmail dismissed those theories and said Obama joined the project only a couple of months before filming began.
Leave the World Behind novel by Rumaan Alam made Barack Obama’s summer reading list.
Barack Obama came on board the film, according to Sam Esmail.
Leave the World Behind was released.
Michelle Obama recalled the questions about the film on her podcast “IMO.
- Production company
- Higher Ground
- Film release
- 2023
- Source novel
- Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam
- Setting
- Long Island and the United States
- Writer-director
- Sam Esmail
What people are saying
Did you get involved with that movie because you know something?
Were you trying to tell us something in that movie?
The fact that he said that scared the f–k out of me.