How it is to be ‘left behind’?

MANILA, Philippines - Many are getting excited as Left Behind, a movie based on the New York Times bestselling book series that has been published in 32 different languages and sold more than 65 million copies, is now fast-approaching in theaters.

The biblical thriller movie, which bears the same title as the book, takes place on the day of the Rapture, when millions of people suddenly disappear from the Earth. Nicolas Cage’s character is faced with a damaged plane, terrified passengers and a desperate desire to get back to his family. Cassi Thomson portrays his daughter, who is forced to navigate through a world of madness and chaos as she searches for her lost mother and brother.

“All of us, in moments of stress, we go, ‘Please, God — or somebody — help me out!’ It’s about trying to believe there is something that can overcome whatever affliction is happening at the time, otherwise there’s no hope,” director Vic Armstrong says. 

“We’re seeing a number of big, biblical movies on the calendar this year, particularly Son of God, Noah and Exodus,” notes producer Paul Lalonde. “What makes Left Behind different is that it is a contemporary story that could actually happen at any moment. It’s also a historical account in a sense, because it’s based on a true story, it just hasn’t happened yet. So it’s very important to us that the core story not be changed.”

Cage admits that the film is unlike anything he’s done before. “My greatest hope for the film is that it works as something that people will be entertained and thrilled by, but they’ll also go home and they’ll have conversations with their family and they’ll ask ‘do you think this could happen or couldn’t happen’ and it’ll inspire discussions and closeness.”

Cage further says of the role, “I wanted to do it because it was so challenging and unusual to me.”

It seems that Cage has won over even his most fierce critics. Left Behind author Jerry Jenkins comments, “I believe this film does justice to the novel and will renew interest in the entire series.”

Jenkins provided useful notes for the script during pre-production and visited the set during principal photography.

Co-author Tim LaHaye adds, “It’s the best movie I have seen on the rapture.”