Leave the World Behind ★★★½

THE creator of television series Mr Robot, Sam Esmail, knows how to spin an engrossing yarn.

His second feature, Leave the World Behind, is also a high-concept drama but with even higher stakes at play.

Immediately there is an unusualness to the music score that threatens to hook you in as Chapter One: The House  begins.

A father surprises his wife and teenage daughter by booking a bnb holiday. It’s a beautiful home on the edge of a forest with the coast nearby.

Lying on the beach enjoying the sun the daughter notices that a tanker is fairly close offshore.

The trio continue their sun bathing, music and reading. But, as the tanker gets closer, they realise it isn’t going to stop and, in one of several remarkable scenes in the film, it spectacularly runs aground on the beach.

The family heads back to the house to find the internet, television and phones are all out.

A man arrives with his adult daughter claiming to be the owner of the house, states he is concerned by what is happening and asks if they can stay there.

The husband is understanding but the wife is very wary. Reluctantly, the man and his daughter are allowed to stay.

Esmail brilliantly sets up his story and our fascination at what exactly is going on and the motivations of the alleged home owner and his daughter.

Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke and Mahershala Ali are safe pairs of hands to lead the small cast, with Roberts particularly good in a difficult role.

As the situation heads deeper into dangerous territory and relationships twist and evolve we are further intrigued.

If you enjoy the mysteries woven by the likes of M. Night Shyamalan and Jordan Peele, this will be in your wheelhouse.