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Horror thriller

Leave (2023): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Leave (2023) movie poster

Leave is a 2023 horror thriller directed by Alex Herron, starring Ellen Dorrit Petersen as Cecilia Winterberg, Morten Holst and Alicia von Rittberg. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and earned $1.6 million worldwide on a $2 million budget. Critics gave it 60% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.9/10.

IMDb rating
4.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
60%
worldwide gross
$1.6M
Echo Score
65
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Leave (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Director
Alex Herron
Genres
Thriller , Horror
Original language
Norwegian
Budget
$2M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Leave About?

The premise of Leave without spoilers.

A young woman searching for her identity investigates her mysterious past after discovering she was abandoned as an infant at a haunted cemetery. As she delves deeper, uncovering unsettling truths about her origins, a dark and menacing presence attempts to deter her, urging her to abandon her search and threatening to silence her permanently. The chilling tale explores themes of self-discovery and the power of the past.

Leave Themes & Keywords

· 12 tags
  • ghost
  • abandoned
  • black metal
  • supernatural horror
  • crying infant
  • co written by director
  • jail visit
  • diary
  • drinking beer from a bottle
  • norway
  • hospital
  • title spoken by character
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Cast & crew

Leave Cast & Characters

Ellen Dorrit Petersen leads the cast as Cecilia Winterberg, with Morten Holst as Kristian Morild and Alicia von Rittberg as Hunter White. Directed by Alex Herron; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Leave

· 6 more
Ratings

Leave Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Leave 60% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in character & emotion (84) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

65 /100

Leave Echo Score Breakdown

Leave presents a moderately received supernatural thriller that balances moments of visual competence with uneven narrative execution. Critics note commendable cinematography and strong central performances, while many point to a plot that stalls and fails to sustain tension. User feedback echoes this division, highlighting an engaging premise but citing predictable pacing and a lack of impactful horror. The film therefore offers limited lasting appeal, positioning it as a middle‑ground entry rather than a standout in its genre.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 72

    ART: The film’s visual composition receives praise for a moody color palette and effective framing that enhances the supernatural tone. Cinematographer Sjur Aarthun’s work is cited as a highlight, yet critics observe occasional editing lapses and an overall direction that lacks distinct flair. Consequently, the technical craft is competent but not consistently exceptional.

  • Character & Emotion 84

    CHARACTER: Performances constitute a clear strength, with von Rittberg’s nuanced portrayal and supporting actors delivering credible emotional stakes. Reviewers commend the chemistry among the cast and the ability to maintain viewer investment despite narrative flaws. No significant acting criticisms emerge, indicating a uniformly solid character execution throughout the film.

  • Story & Flow 58

    STORY: Narrative assessment is mixed; the premise of uncovering occult origins captivates, yet pacing issues cause the plot to feel drawn out and occasionally predictable. Critics acknowledge a well‑structured framework and a surprise twist, but many note that the climax underdelivers and that unresolved threads diminish coherence. Overall, the story balances intrigue with notable pacing shortcomings.

  • Sensory Experience 66

    SENSORY: Atmospheric elements receive moderate approval; the film’s soundscape and visual tone successfully generate a lingering sense of unease. However, reviewers argue that the horror cues lack sufficient intensity to fulfill genre expectations, resulting in an experience that leans more toward mood than visceral shock.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    REWATCH: The film’s replay value is limited; while its twist and strong performances may merit a second viewing, the pervasive pacing issues and muted horror lessen lasting appeal. Consequently, audiences are unlikely to seek repeat engagements beyond the initial curiosity.

Box office

Leave Box Office & Budget

Leave grossed $1.6 million worldwide on a $2 million budget, 80% of what it cost.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.6M

80% of its budget back

International
$1.6M
Budget
$2M
Videos

Leave Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Leave.

Official Trailer
Cars

Cars in Leave

23 cars on screen, including the 1988 Porsche 911 Carrera and the 2004 Volkswagen Golf V Typ 1K.

All 23 cars
  • 1988 Porsche 911 Carrera in Leave 1988 Porsche 911 Carrera Important role
  • 2004 Volkswagen Golf V Typ 1K in Leave 2004 Volkswagen Golf V Typ 1K Important role
  • 1998 Ford Crown Victoria in Leave 1998 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
  • 2002 Nissan X-Trail in Leave 2002 Nissan X-Trail Minor role
Details

Leave Also Known As

32 alternative titles, including “Dünyanı Geridə Burax” and “دنیا را پشت سر بگذار”.

Also known as
  • Dünyanı Geridə Burax
  • دنیا را پشت سر بگذار
  • Ілюзія безпеки
  • 終わらない週末
  • Оставь мир позади
  • 리브 더 월드 비하인드
  • Le Monde après nous
  • Zostaw świat za sobą
  • Dejar el mundo atrás
  • Il mondo dietro di te
  • Távol a világtól
  • اترك العالم خلفك
+20 more
  • O Mundo Depois de Nós
  • Dünyayı Ardında Bırak
  • Bỏ thế giới lại sau lưng
  • Deixar o Mundo Para Trás
  • 断网假期
  • 斷網假期
  • 断讯
  • 斷訊
  • Ostavite svijet iza sebe
  • Nech svět světem
  • Læg verden bag jer
  • Άσε τον Κόσμο Πίσω
  • להשאיר את העולם מאחור
  • छोड़ो दुनिया की फ़िक्र
  • Lasă lumea în urmă
  • Оставить мир позади
  • Забравете за света
  • Оставите свет иза себе
  • Toli nuo pasaulio
  • Pusti svet za seboj, დატოვე სამყარო უკან

Seen Leave?

FAQ

Leave FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Leave, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Leave?

Leave runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was Leave released?

Leave was released on March 17, 2023.

Who directed Leave?

Leave was directed by Alex Herron.

More films by Alex Herron

Who is in the cast of Leave?

Leave stars Ellen Dorrit Petersen as Cecilia Winterberg, Morten Holst as Kristian Morild and Alicia von Rittberg as Hunter White, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Leave make at the box office?

Leave grossed $1.6 million worldwide on a budget of $2 million.

How is Leave rated?

Leave has 4.9/10 on IMDb, 60% on Rotten Tomatoes, 56% on TMDB and 2.8/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Leave have a post-credit scene?

No. Leave has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Leave in?

The original language of Leave is Norwegian.

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