Summary of I Am Legend

I Am Legend is a 2007 post-apocalyptic horror film starring Will Smith, inspired by the novel of the same name written by Richard Matheson. A genetically engineered virus converts half of the human population along with other species into bloodthirsty mutants, leaving the town of New York City abandoned with only Neville and his dog.

Neville is a scientist living in an abandoned house and spends his days scavenging for supplies and broadcasting messages.

He is immune to the virus and is in search of other remaining human populations and developing an antidote to stop this catastrophe while holding together his sanity. He begins to hallucinate and question his own reality. These bloodthirsty mutants are called the Dark Seekers; they live in shades as they cannot bear the heat and get burn in the sun.

Dark Seeker’s enjoy freedom at night, while Neville becomes extra conscious of not being found out. One day, he meets Anna and her young son, Ethan, who are also immune to the virus.

Anna believes there are more survivors and goes out in search leading the Dark Seekers to their hideout. Led to a corner in his laboratory with Dark Seekers all around, Neville sacrifices himself to protect the mother and son as he becomes successful in developing the vaccine.

The film ends with Anna and Ethan safely finding the community of human survivors and handing them the antidote. There is a hope of retrieving the human civilization.

It explores various themes like hope and survival, the nature of humanity, and loneliness and isolation. Even though the movie genre is horror, I Am Legend is a visually stunning and mindful movie that delivers a cautious tale about the danger that science and technology can bring to humanity. And reminds us that humanity is capable of doing great good to society and even greater evil by not being cautious of our actions.

Were you aware that your favorite horror movie, I Am Legend, could have ended on a completely different note? Those who have read the original novel from 1954 would have been surprised to watch the theoretical ending of the movie. With too much contemplation viewers would be confused and have questions about why the filmmakers didn’t go with the original ending. Well, to ease the stress, this blog will answer all these curiosities as we go in-depth to understand the I Am Legend alternate ending.