The nightmarish drama Leave the World Behind, which had its world premiere at AFI Fest, is too familiar and not scary enough in its elements of environmental catastrophe and racial hatred.

Fine performances help to bolster a problematic picture written and directed by Sam Ismail, adapted from Rumaan Alam’s best-selling novel.

The film will take its bow via Netflix in December, the streamer’s second release this year (after Rustin) that is executive by Barack and Michelle Obama.