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Julia Roberts talks about how “Leave the World Behind” blends elements of family with a disaster movie
Julia Roberts, known for iconic roles in “Mystic Pizza,” “Pretty Woman,” and “Erin Brockovich,” captivates yet again as a skeptical spouse in Netflix’s “Leave the World Behind.” This apocalyptic thriller has quickly climbed to the top of the charts, becoming the No. 1 movie in the U.S. on Netflix.
Directed by Sam Esmail, “Leave the World Behind” delves into the lives of a family grappling with unexpected challenges and the sudden loss of modern conveniences like internet, GPS and cell service. They are elements that Roberts says drew her to the film, which she says can have various interpretations.
“Sam [Esmail] calls it a disaster movie. Ethan [Hawke] calls it a thriller. It’s both those things. But to me, it’s a story about this family, this husband and wife, who are kind of opposites. He’s the quieter, more laid back. And she’s this prickly workaholic,” said Roberts.
Roberts said the film tackles themes of race, class, and politics, with an ending that is open for the viewer to decipher.
“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.
Roberts responded in part, saying “I think for now I’m just working really hard, so I deserve that day when it comes, and I’ll be able to enjoy a more normal life and distance myself from the business a little more and not be forgotten about.”
King also asked Julia to reflect on what she said years ago. Thinking back on her career, Roberts said her early insight into the long game of life has helped her navigate her journey — both personally and professionally.
“It’s interesting. I’m speaking in a way of such kind of the long game of life at such a young age. Well done, me. Wise beyond my years.”
CBS News
Hurricane Milton’s impact on South Florida: Squally conditions, tornadoes, flight cancellations
MIAMI – Windy conditions continued in South Florida Wednesday evening as Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 3 storm, made landfall on Florida’s west coast.
Milton was packing maximum sustained winds of 120 mph as it made landfall in Siesta Key near Sarasota. The storm is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, destructive winds, flooding, and tornadoes as it moves across the state to the east coast.
South Florida experienced strong winds of 30 to 40 mph Wednesday, which are expected to continue through Thursday.
Milton’s impact on South Florida
Hurricane Milton spun at least two tornadoes in South Florida.
Earlier in the day, a tornado touched down along Alligator Alley in western Broward County near Collier County, though no damage was reported.
Another tornado touched down in the Wellington area of Palm Beach County, causing damage to some homes and bringing down trees.
All of South Florida had been under a tornado watch until 9 p.m. Wednesday. Several tornado warnings had also been issued for Broward County.
In recent days, South Florida has experienced a “one-two punch” of storms. A non-tropical low-pressure system brought heavy rain and flooding on Sunday and Monday, followed by Hurricane Milton’s approach on Wednesday, which was forecast to bring more rain and windy conditions through Thursday as the storm crosses the state.
The region remains under threat of flooding, with an expected rainfall of 4 to 7 inches or more.
Strong winds brought down a power line in Broward County near NE 28th Street in Wilton Manors.
Airports report delays and cancelations
Hurricane Milton continued to affect flights at South Florida airports on Wednesday.
Cancellations and delays were reported at Miami International Airport and at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International.
Nearly 2,000 flights within, into or out of the United States were canceled by Wednesday night, according to the tracking service FlightAware. That includes over 380 flights canceled at Tampa International Airport.
When will conditions improve?
CBS News Miami
“By late Thursday, things will begin to wind down,” said CBS News Miami chief meteorologist Ivan Cabrera. “Conditions will improve into Friday, and we’re looking forward to a quiet and tranquil pattern setting up for the weekend and into next week.”
On Friday, there will be a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. It will be cloudy with a 20% chance of rain in the day and 20% at night, according to NWS.
North winds will be around 14 mph with gusts as high as 23 mph during the day, and north winds of 10 to 13 mph with gusts as high as 22 will be seen at night.
CBS News Miami
Highs are expected to be near 86 and lows around 75.
Dangerous storm surge forecast for Florida
Forecasters warned of dangerous storm surge.
“The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the south of the landfall location, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves,” the hurricane center said.
“Rainfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches, with localized totals up to 18 inches, are expected across central to northern portions of the Florida Peninsula through Thursday,” the hurricane center said.
“This rainfall brings the risk of considerable flash, urban and areal flooding, along with the potential for moderate to major river flooding.”
Milton will also produce rainfall totals 2 to 4 inches across the Florida Keys through Thursday.
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