Julia Roberts, renowned for her unforgettable performances in "Mystic Pizza," "Pretty Woman," and "Erin Brockovich," once again mesmerizes audiences with her portrayal of a skeptical spouse in Netflix's "Leave the World Behind." This gripping apocalyptic thriller has swiftly risen to the top of the charts, securing the position of the No. 1 movie in the U.S. on Netflix.
Under the direction of Sam Esmail, "Leave the World Behind" explores the struggles faced by a family as they grapple with unforeseen challenges and the sudden absence of modern conveniences such as internet, GPS, and cell service. These elements, according to Roberts, were what initially attracted her to the film, which she believes can be interpreted in various ways.
"Sam [Esmail] refers to it as a disaster movie, while Ethan [Hawke] sees it as a thriller. It encompasses both of those genres. However, for me, it's primarily a story about this couple – the husband and wife – who are complete opposites. He is more reserved and laid-back, whereas she is a driven workaholic," explained Roberts.
Roberts also highlighted that the film delves into themes of race, class, and politics, with an ending that leaves room for viewers to draw their own conclusions.
"There's so much to unpack, you know when you're talking about this movie. There's just so many different ideas to talk about. There's so much fragility in the world to talk about. There's so much that really is in our capable hands that we're not being truly responsible with," she said.
Roberts' character lets loose in a dance to the 1997 hit "Too Close" by Next with costar Mahershala Ali, symbolizing a rare break from her character's typically rigid demeanor. This moment, according to Roberts, was a creative decision by director Esmail to add depth to her character.
Away from the silver screen, Roberts' real-life dance partner is her husband of 21 years, Danny Moder. The couple share three children, and Roberts refers to him as "her favorite human." When King brings up her husband Roberts lights up in a big smile, that made her feel "embarrassed." King says it's not embarrassing, and they agree they're both hopeless romantics.
When asked how she knew Moder was her person after the other loves in Roberts life, she said "He's so smart and kind and dynamic in the way that he looks at the world and admires people. And he's just so … strong and loving." She goes on to say he is the "blessing of my life," she said.
In a 1989 CBS interview with Julia Roberts during promotion for "Steel Magnolias," she was asked if she had a chance to have a life amidst her skyrocketing success.
Julia Roberts responded to a question about her future plans, saying that she is currently focused on working hard and deserves a day off in the future. She mentioned that she wants to enjoy a more normal life and distance herself from the business. She also expressed her desire to not be forgotten about.
During the interview, Roberts was asked to reflect on something she said years ago. She mentioned that her early understanding of the long game of life has helped her navigate her personal and professional journey. She praised herself for being wise beyond her years.
