Netflix has recently released its apocalypse thriller Leave the World Behind starring Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, Julia Roberts, and Kevin Bacon. The movie has presented us with a unique take on the genre as the leads of the film go on a quest to explore the sudden breakdown in various modes of technology.
However, the movie also opted for a never-seen-before and unique promotional strategy for it involving an uncountable number of Teslas. Tesla’s automatic cars have shocked the viewers of the movie with one of the most unexpected and bizarre scenes in an apocalyptic movie ever. The promo was a callback to the iconic sequence and is a one-of-a-kind technique that’s never seen before.
What’s Netflix’s unique promotional strategy for Mahershala Ali’s latest?
The latest Netflix apocalyptic thriller directed by Sam Esmail is based on a novel by the same name. It shows how a family’s vacation to Long Island turns into a battle for survival in a world that’s collapsing.
Collider’s Editor-in-chief, Steven Weintraub (via X) revealed how Netflix pulled off a brilliant promotional strategy for the movie involving several Teslas in a parking lot. The streaming giant took over a parking garage in downtown LA to organize the screening of the Mahershala Ali movie.
“After you checked in, your group got into a white Tesla (it’ll make sense after you see the movie) and were taken to the 9th floor in the decked-out garage while listening to a narrator tell you a story. Once you parked on the rooftop, you walked to another section of the roof where they had an open bar and food… Around 8pm, everyone returned to their car, watched Sam Esmail and I do a Q&A, and then the movie started.”
The significance of the Tesla scene in the movie
Spoilers Ahead!
Netflix’s strategy of using Teslas in its promotion for the Mahershala Ali flick can be helmed as one of the most brilliant promotional ideas on knowing the importance of Tesla in the movie. The movie featured Julia Roberts’ Amanda and Ethan Hawke’s Clay going on a sudden trip to Long Island.
There they ran into the owner of the house G.H. Scott played by Mahershala Ali and his daughter Ruth. On being aware of the disaster, Amanda and the company decided to leave the house and planned to drive their kids to Amanda’s sister’s house in New Jersey. However, they are soon stopped amidst the highway by a horde of crashed Tesla Model 3s.
At first, Amanda was shocked to spot so many driverless Teslas crashing in the middle of the road. However, soon she decodes that the cars are automated. As another Tesla speeds toward them, she realizes that they could be smashed by another automatic car and hurriedly tries to leave the scene. In a bird-eye view, we are also shown a huge pile of crashed automatic cars.
Leave the World Behind has gained quite a positive reception from fans and critics. It has been praised as a well-executed apocalyptic thriller with a unique take. It can be streamed on Netflix.
