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This piece contains spoilers aboutLeave the World Behind, including its ending.
They are technically together as a unit.
Amanda (Julia Roberts) gabs on a phone call with a colleague, her earbuds firmly in place.
Clay (Ethan Hawke) is driving and rocking out to Misled, by Kool and the Gang.
Their teenage son, Archie (Charlie Evans), plays video games on his phone.
In a bit of foreshadowing of the societal breakdown were about to witness, Roses video starts buffering.
Even her link toFriendsis tenuous.
In the book from which this soon-to-turn-apocalyptic cautionary tale is adapted,author Rumaan Alamalso makes reference toFriends.
Theres a line that Ruth says to Amanda.
Shes talking aboutFriendsand describes it as nostalgic for a time that never existed, Esmail said.
All of that felt right for Roses journey.
The world ofFriendsindeed existed in a carefully conceived bubble during its ten-year-run.
When Rose spends hours binging entire seasons of the NBC sitcom, shes creating a similar bubble for herself.
Rose even says as much herself during a conversation with Archie later in the film.
I really need that right now.
Its partly as simple as that: When Rose watchesFriends, it feels like things are okay.
At the same time, Rose seems to see the characters onFriendsas New Yorkers she actually knows.
In a way, thesewereher real friends.
Clay corrects her: I dont think thats real, honey.
Its just a set.
Hes right, but hes also wrong.
Or maybe she believes Central Perk actually exists.
She does not respond to her dad, so we dont know.
Now theyre on to the next episode.
She finds it odd and sad.
But one could also view their responses as evidence of resilience.
They have been trained by life to go on to the next episode.
Its the only way for them to live.
At this exact moment, Manhattan seems to be exploding, which Amanda and Ruth witness.
The government is on the verge of collapse.
But that fact accidentally adds extra emotional punch.
(These two also just do not get along.)
This may seem like a petty, silly, vapid choice to make.
Thats what the movie seems to want us to think.
