Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Leave’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Leave’.
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Somewhere along the line in our journey through life, we will come to learn quite the valuable lesson. In that, chasing for the truth, can at times… be quite the costly quest. Because sometimes the answers we seek are quite devastating in nature and they will have a painful and lasting impact upon us. One that truly hammers home that lesson and, has the potential to make us a touch skittish to ever approach such a quest again. So that we don’t have to deal with the fallout and the pain of that can accompany a search for facts. In fact, that hard lesson tends to teach us, to pick and choose our quests and really only focus on the truths we absolutely need to know in the moment. 
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Which… has its pros and cons. Since it does shield us from the ugly but could also prevent us from learning something critical. Which means that perhaps the best advice on the truth… is to always engage in the search for it. Regardless of the emotional risk. Simply because, to know it gives one peace and it could lead to so many other wonders down the line, and really… the importance of chasing for the truth, risk be damned, is top of mind today simply because Shudder is now host to a motion picture that explores those benefits… in a harrowing manner of course. A feat that Leave accomplishes, by introducing us to a woman named Hunter White, who is desperate to learn the truth about her past and her family.

Simply because… those facts are unknown to her. For Hunter was abandoned as an infant. But thanks to the kindness of her adoptive family, she thrived and even found her way into a journalism scholarship. But rather than pursue the present… she must know why her birth parents abandoned her and that prompts her to skip school and head to Norway. Where DNA results indicate her bloodline begins, all to find her birth parents, and while she discovers tragedy untold with them… she does discover that her extended family is alive and well and eager to welcome her into the fold with open arms. But that is mainly because, they are harboring some dark and ugly secrets about the family and its past, and hope that kindness will keep those secrets in the dark. But eventually… Hunter comes to realize those secrets exist and she will have to decide… whether or not the pursuit of the truth will be worth her while, or if it will turn out to be the greatest mistake she’s ever made.

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Which is a plot that at first glance, seems to reflect the dangers of chasing the truth. Since encountering dark secrets and facing real trouble because of them… really does carry a negative connotation. Not to mention the movie makes a point to create a real air of danger for Hunter throughout the story. Partly thanks to the strange supernatural occurrences that surround her on her hunt for the truth. Since those are quite jarring and terrifying in nature and truly add the traditional horror elements to the story. But it is the secrets she uncovers about her extended family that really creates a true sense of danger and puts her at quite the crossroads. Wherein she must make that aforementioned decision and that… is where this story truly shines in its commentary on why chasing the truth is important.
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Because… it can benefit us in ways we never thought possible. Since it can shed incredible light on darkness that has plagued us, and it can reveal critical facts about people and situations that should have been brought to everyone’s attention ages ago. A message that is hammered home in a fascinating and surprising manner, during the finale of this feature. Wherein Hunter does decide to go for it and do what must be done to uncover the truth about her family and their past and there is inspiration to be found within that act since it takes great bravery to do so, and her bold push to learn, also teaches us that the peace that one will experience in doing so, can and will make the risk worthwhile. As to how exactly that plays out in this film… we won’t break down in great detail. Simply because you need to experience the discoveries that Hunter makes firsthand, to properly soak up the lesson and to properly enjoy, an engaging horror feature. 

One that feels grounded in realism thanks to Hunter’s important quest and features some solid scares and eerie moments and a twist that will horrify and unsettle. Plus, it features great performances, with Alicia von Rittberg leading the charge as Hunter. For she brings an earnestness to the role and a vulnerability that really sells Hunter’s plight, and her performance also draws you into the story further and prompts you to root for her to find the answers when the going gets tough, and when the gross people in this story do their thing. Because it should be mentioned that there are some ugly acts in this film that will make you uncomfortable, the kind brought forth by worst monster of all, man, and that too lends power and gravity to this fascinating motion picture. One that really does remind us… why the truth matters and why we should seek it out, regardless of the difficult nature of the search.   

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