Left Behind Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Nicolas Cage pilots a plane full of stereotypes after half the passengers spontaneously combust into the sky, while his daughter discovers the hard way that maybe mom was right about that whole ‘end times’ thing.

🍿 Left Behind: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction: A Family Divided

Chloe Steele returns home to surprise her father, Rayford, a pilot, for his birthday. However, tension simmers due to her mother Irene’s newfound religious fervor and Rayford’s upcoming flight to London. Chloe also meets journalist Buck Williams at the airport, setting up future connections.

The Disappearances Begin

While Chloe is at the mall with her brother, an unimaginable event occurs: people, including her brother, suddenly vanish, leaving their clothes behind. Simultaneously, on Rayford’s flight, several passengers and crew members disappear mid-flight, creating chaos and panic amongst the remaining passengers. A pilot-less jet damages Rayford’s fuel line, complicating the situation.

Ground Zero: Chaos and Revelation

Chloe discovers her mother has also vanished. She seeks answers at her mother’s church, where Pastor Barnes, left behind himself, explains the event as the Rapture, the taking of believers to heaven before the end times. Rayford reaches a similar conclusion on the plane, grappling with the implications of the disappearances and his strained relationship with his wife.

Desperate Measures for Survival

Rayford, with dwindling fuel and no airport available, communicates with Chloe, who finds an unfinished bridge to serve as a makeshift runway. In a race against time, Chloe clears the bridge, guiding her father to a dangerous but successful landing, saving the lives of those onboard.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Rayford Steele (Nicolas Cage): A commercial airline pilot struggling with his faith and marital issues who must land his plane after the Rapture.
• Chloe Steele (Cassi Thomson): Rayford’s daughter who is searching for her family and answers amidst the chaos of the Rapture.
• Buck Williams (Chad Michael Murray): A journalist who becomes Rayford’s co-pilot and documents the events following the Rapture.
• Irene Steele (Lea Thompson): Rayford’s wife and Chloe’s mother, whose newfound faith creates tension within her family, and who disappears during the Rapture.
• Hattie Durham (Nicky Whelan): A flight attendant with whom Rayford is having an affair, who is left behind after the Rapture.
• Pastor Bruce Barnes (Lance E. Nichols): The local pastor left behind due to his lack of true faith who then explains the Rapture to others.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Hassid: “[kicks the Midget Passenger down the escape slide]” – After a midget passenger became disruptive on the plane, he was forcefully removed by another passenger.
• Buck Williams: “It looks like the end of the world.” – Buck says this after landing and seeing the widespread chaos and destruction in the city.
• Chloe Steele: “It’s just the beginning.” – Chloe responds to Buck’s statement, indicating the events are only the start of the tribulation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $16,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $14,019,924
• Worldwide Gross: $27,405,896

💥 Left Behind Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Left Behind’ is… a movie. I went in expecting a disaster flick with Nic Cage doing Nic Cage things, and I wasn’t entirely disappointed. The special effects are hilariously bad, the dialogue is cringeworthy, and the plot is thinner than my patience during a sermon. However, there’s a certain ‘so bad it’s good’ charm to it. I found myself laughing more than I probably should have. It’s definitely a memorable movie experience, even if not for the right reasons. I’m just glad I didn’t pay full price for a ticket. Honestly, the worst part was the terrible music!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of apocalyptic thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in religious-themed movies”
  • “Those familiar with the ‘Left Behind’ book series”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Thematic elements related to religious apocalypse”
  • “Intense scenes of panic and chaos”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Dull, preachy, and rife with unintentionally hilarious moments, ‘Left Behind’ is a disaster in every sense of the word, even for fans of Nicolas Cage’s notorious camp phase.
• Crosswalk.com: “Left Behind (2014) is a film that might lead to some good conversations, but it is not worth the cost of admission. The film suffers from a mediocre story that is further diminished by poor performances.
• Movieguide: “Left Behind is a poorly executed, preachy, and, at times, unintentionally funny movie. It’s not a good movie for movie fans, but it’s even worse as a vehicle to promote the Gospel or the end-times books it’s based on.

Audience Reactions

Some viewers found unintentional humor in the movie’s low-budget effects and over-the-top acting.: While most viewers disliked the movie, some Christian viewers felt the movie stayed faithful to the book.

Overall Consensus: Universally panned by critics and general audiences alike, ‘Left Behind’ is considered a poorly made, preachy, and unintentionally funny disaster film.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Nicolas Cage’s brother Marc, who is a pastor, is a big fan of the ‘Left Behind’ novel series and asked Cage to star in the movie as a favor to him.”
• “Five different types of aircraft were used during filming for various shots of the aircraft in flight and on the ground.”

🖥️ How to Watch Left Behind?

As of today, ‘Left Behind’ (2014) is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Amazon Prime Video. Check local listings for availability as streaming options can change.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Left Behind, you might like these similar films:

• Knowing (2009): Shares a similar theme of impending global disaster and interpreting prophetic signs to avert catastrophe.
• The Book of Eli (2010): Set in a post-apocalyptic world, explores themes of faith and survival in the face of societal collapse.
• 2012 (2009): Features large-scale destruction and global chaos as the world faces an apocalyptic event.
• The Remaining (2014): Another take on the rapture event, focusing on a group of friends struggling to survive after the sudden disappearance of millions.
• A Thief in the Night (1972): A classic evangelical end-times film depicting the rapture and its aftermath, similar in theme and message.

🛒 Left Behind Related Products

• Left Behind: The Movie (Original): The original Left Behind movie based on the best-selling book series. A different take on the rapture, with a more focused story.
• Left Behind Book Series: Complete collection of the Left Behind book series, telling the full story of the end times. The books offer a more detailed narrative.
• Nic Cage Pillowcase: Show your appreciation for Nicolas Cage’s diverse filmography with a fun pillowcase featuring his iconic roles.
• End Times Board Game: A strategy board game based on end-times themes, offering interactive gameplay and thought-provoking scenarios.

🎧 Soundtrack

Left Behind features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I Wish We’d All Been Ready” – performed by Larry Norman (Cover)
• “Main Theme” – performed by Tim Simonec

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Meaning Of THE DEER In LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND

Ever wondered what those deer were *really* about in ‘Leave the World Behind’? This video breaks down all the symbolism – honestly, I didn’t catch half of it until I watched this!

These Hidden Commands Are Placed In Movies To Enslave You | LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND Review

Want to go down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories surrounding ‘Leave the World Behind’? This review dives into potential hidden meanings and easter eggs that might just blow your mind.

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