The story follows Rayford Steele (Nicolas Cage), a pilot, and Chloe Steele (Cassi Thomson), his college-age daughter. Rayford is an unbeliever, while Chloe has embraced Christianity. During a routine flight, a significant number of passengers mysteriously disappear, causing chaos and confusion on the plane.
Back on Earth, a similar phenomenon occurs globally, with millions of people vanishing without a trace. Those left behind grapple with the sudden loss of loved ones, and society descends into chaos. Chloe discovers that her mother, Irene (Lea Thompson), has also disappeared, having been a devout Christian.
As the world grapples with the aftermath of the Rapture, a charismatic and enigmatic political figure named Nicolae Carpathia (Gordon Currie) rises to power, promising to bring stability and order. However, Chloe becomes suspicious of Carpathia’s true intentions.
The narrative follows Chloe’s journey as she tries to reunite with her father, who is flying a plane in the midst of the global turmoil. Along the way, she encounters other believers who are resisting Carpathia’s regime.
In the climax, it is revealed that Carpathia is aligned with darker forces and plans to use his power to lead the world astray. Chloe and the remaining believers face persecution as they strive to resist Carpathia’s control.
The film ends on a cliffhanger, hinting at the continuation of the story in potential sequels. “Left Behind” received overwhelmingly negative reviews from both critics and audiences, criticizing its writing, acting, and overall execution. Despite its source material’s popularity, the film did not achieve commercial success.