I Am Legend (2007) Ending Explained
tl;dr:
The ending of I Am Legend (2007) portrays Robert Neville's ultimate sacrifice to ensure the survival of humanity. After discovering a potential cure for the KV virus, Neville chooses to stay behind and detonate explosives, killing himself and the infected mutants to protect Anna and Ethan as they escape to a survivor colony. The film's theatrical ending is more action-focused, while the alternate ending (closer to the novel) suggests Neville realizes the mutants are sentient and capable of emotion, leading to a more ambiguous resolution. The movie explores themes of isolation, hope, and the cost of survival.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
I Am Legend follows virologist Robert Neville, the last surviving human in New York City after a genetically engineered virus meant to cure cancer mutates and wipes out most of humanity, turning the infected into vampiric, light-sensitive mutants. Neville spends his days searching for survivors, experimenting on captured mutants to find a cure, and broadcasting radio messages in hopes of finding other immune humans. The climax occurs when Neville is ambushed by the mutants, who have evolved to set a trap for him, revealing a level of intelligence he hadn't anticipated.
In the theatrical ending, Neville, Anna, and Ethan (a mother and son who find Neville) attempt to escape the mutants after Neville administers a successful cure to a captured female mutant. However, they are cornered in his lab. Realizing they won't survive unless he distracts the mutants, Neville hands Anna a vial of the cure and urges her to take it to a survivor colony in Vermont. He then sacrifices himself by detonating grenades, killing himself and the attacking mutants. The film ends with Anna and Ethan reaching the colony, where the cure is used to save humanity, making Neville a legend-a martyr whose death ensured the survival of the human race.
The alternate ending, which aligns more closely with Richard Matheson's original novel, presents a different perspective. In this version, Neville realizes that the mutants are not mindless monsters but sentient beings capable of love and fear when he sees the male mutant's anguish over the female he has captured. Neville returns the female mutant, and the leader of the mutants spares his life, recognizing that Neville is not a monster either. This ending suggests that Neville was the true "legend"—a terrifying figure to the mutants, much like vampires were to humans-and that coexistence, rather than annihilation, might be possible.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers:
1. Did Neville's cure actually work?
- Theatrical ending: Yes, Anna delivers it to the survivor colony, implying humanity's salvation.
- Alternate ending: The cure's effectiveness is left ambiguous, focusing instead on mutual understanding.
Were the mutants truly evolving into a new society?
- Their ability to set traps, mourn, and show restraint suggests intelligence and emotion.
- The alternate ending supports this, while the theatrical ending frames them as irredeemable monsters.
Why did Neville refuse to leave with Anna earlier?
- His survivor's guilt and obsession with finding a cure kept him anchored to New York.
- He may have believed his work was the only hope for humanity's future.
What happened to Sam's (the dog) infection?
- Neville euthanized Sam to prevent her from turning, highlighting his loneliness and desperation.
- Some fans speculate whether Sam could have been saved if Neville had found the cure sooner.
Personal Opinion:
The theatrical ending, while emotionally powerful, simplifies the story into a classic hero's sacrifice, which feels somewhat predictable. The alternate ending, however, adds depth by challenging the viewer's perception of who the real monsters are-a theme more faithful to the novel's philosophical exploration of humanity and fear. Will Smith's performance as Neville is gripping, capturing the despair and determination of a man who has lost everything. The film's visuals of an abandoned New York are hauntingly beautiful, reinforcing the themes of isolation and resilience. Ultimately, I Am Legend is a compelling but flawed adaptation, with the alternate ending offering a far more thought-provoking conclusion than the explosive finale of the theatrical cut.