I Am Legend (2007)

Last updated:
November 6, 2024

I Am Legend, directed by Francis Lawrence and starring Will Smith, is a post-apocalyptic thriller based on the 1954 novel by Richard Matheson. The film blends elements of sci-fi, horror, and drama to create a gripping story about survival, loneliness, and humanity’s fight against an unstoppable virus.

Detailed Summary

Introduction: The Fall of Mankind

The movie opens with a news broadcast announcing a breakthrough: scientists have genetically engineered a virus to cure cancer. Unfortunately, the virus mutates and turns into a pandemic, wiping out most of the human population. Those not killed by the virus are transformed into “Darkseekers”—aggressive, zombie-like creatures with vampiric tendencies, sensitive to UV light.

Robert Neville: The Last Man in New York

Robert Neville (Will Smith) is introduced as a brilliant virologist who remains immune to the virus. He is seemingly the last human in New York City, surviving with his loyal dog, Sam. By day, he roams the deserted streets, scavenging for supplies and trying to find other survivors by broadcasting radio messages. At night, he barricades himself in his home, protected from the Darkseekers.

Neville spends his days conducting experiments to find a cure, using rats and captured Darkseekers. His isolation and mental state are gradually revealed, showing that he’s haunted by the loss of his family in the chaos of the virus outbreak.

First Encounter with Darkseekers

While Neville tries to maintain a semblance of normalcy, we see his first real encounter with the Darkseekers. After Sam chases a deer into a dark building, Neville follows, leading to a heart-pounding scene where he narrowly escapes an ambush by the creatures.

This scene is critical as it reveals that the Darkseekers are not entirely mindless. They can set traps and exhibit complex behavior, suggesting a deeper level of intelligence.

The Tragedy of Sam

In one of the movie’s most emotional moments, Neville and Sam are attacked by infected dogs. Sam, loyal to the end, defends Neville but is bitten during the fight. Neville tearfully euthanizes Sam after realizing she is infected. This scene emphasizes Neville’s crushing loneliness, as Sam was not just his pet but his sole companion in this desolate world.

Meeting Anna and Ethan

After a failed suicide attempt during a reckless mission at night, Neville is rescued by Anna (Alice Braga) and her young son, Ethan (Charlie Tahan). They tell him they’ve heard of a survivor’s colony in Vermont. Neville, however, is skeptical and deeply pessimistic, questioning whether anyone else could have survived.

The Cure and Final Confrontation

Neville finally succeeds in creating a cure, using the blood of a female Darkseeker he had been experimenting on. However, the Darkseekers track him to his lab, leading to a climactic showdown where they attack his home.

In the final confrontation, Neville realizes the Darkseekers aren’t just monsters—they are sentient beings trying to recover one of their own. Faced with overwhelming numbers, Neville sacrifices himself to save Anna and Ethan, using a grenade to blow up the lab and the attacking Darkseekers. Before his death, he hands Anna the vial of the cure, ensuring that his research lives on.

Movie Ending

In the movie’s theatrical ending, Neville dies as a martyr, sacrificing himself for the greater good. Anna and Ethan escape with the cure, driving toward the survivor’s colony in Vermont, giving the film a bittersweet but hopeful resolution.

Alternate Ending (Director’s Cut)

In the alternate ending (closer to the original novel), Neville realizes that the Darkseekers are sentient and capable of love and emotions. The alpha male Darkseeker was only attacking to retrieve the female Neville had captured. Neville, understanding their humanity, returns the female Darkseeker and peacefully walks away with Anna and Ethan. This version offers a more nuanced conclusion, presenting the Darkseekers as another form of life, not mere monsters.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, I Am Legend does not have a post-credits scene. The story concludes with the end credits, so you can head for the exit as soon as they roll.

Type of Movie

I Am Legend is a post-apocalyptic, sci-fi thriller with heavy elements of horror and drama. It deals with themes of isolation, survival, and the cost of humanity’s scientific ambition.

Cast

Will Smith as Robert Neville
Alice Braga as Anna
Charlie Tahan as Ethan
Dash Mihok as Alpha Male Darkseeker (motion capture)

Film Music and Composer

The film’s score was composed by James Newton Howard, who created a haunting and atmospheric soundtrack that complements the film’s tone of isolation and suspense. The music often swells at emotional moments, particularly during Neville’s reflections on his past and his interactions with Sam.

Filming Locations

Most of the movie was shot in New York City, utilizing several iconic locations:

Washington Square Park: This area serves as a central point where Neville broadcasts his radio messages.
Brooklyn Bridge: This is the backdrop for the flashback scenes of the evacuation and Neville’s family’s tragic death.

New York’s desolate streets provide an eerie atmosphere that emphasizes Neville’s loneliness and the global scale of the disaster.

Awards and Nominations

I Am Legend was nominated for several awards, particularly for Will Smith’s performance and its visual effects. While it didn’t win many major awards, Smith did receive nominations at the MTV Movie Awards and Saturn Awards for his portrayal of Robert Neville.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Will Smith spent time alone in the woods to prepare for the isolation scenes, getting into the mindset of a solitary survivor.
The filmmakers faced massive logistical challenges filming in New York, including shutting down parts of 5th Avenue and Brooklyn Bridge.
Sam the dog was played by two German Shepherds, Abbey and Kona. Will Smith bonded with Abbey so much during filming that he wanted to adopt her, but her trainer refused.

Inspirations and References

The movie is based on the 1954 novel I Am Legend by Richard Matheson, which has been adapted into films before, such as The Last Man on Earth (1964) and The Omega Man (1971). Matheson’s novel explored themes of isolation, the nature of humanity, and the concept of the “monster,” which greatly influenced the tone of the film.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

As mentioned earlier, the alternate ending reveals that the Darkseekers are not mindless creatures but sentient beings trying to protect their own. This ending shifts the narrative, making Neville a villain in their eyes. Other deleted scenes primarily focus on extending Neville’s backstory and flashbacks.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The novel I Am Legend differs significantly from the film:

In the book, the infected are more vampire-like, and Neville is seen as a monster to them.
The ending of the book portrays Neville as the “legend” among the infected, a fearsome figure who hunts them during the day.
The tone of the book is darker, focusing more on Neville’s mental deterioration and the philosophical implications of the disease.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Neville playing golf on a battleship with Sam.
The terrifying trap scene where Neville gets caught in a snare set by the Darkseekers.
The heartbreaking moment where Neville has to euthanize Sam after she gets infected.

Iconic Quotes

Robert Neville: “I am a survivor living in New York City. If there is anybody out there… anybody. Please. You are not alone.”
Robert Neville: “This is ground zero. This is my site. I can fix this.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The movie features an Easter egg for a Batman vs Superman movie on a billboard, which wouldn’t actually be released until 2016.
The mannequins Neville talks to symbolize his desperate need for human interaction, a nod to Wilson the volleyball from Cast Away.
Several references to the book can be found, such as Neville using garlic and UV light, though these elements play a more significant role in the novel.

Trivia

The film’s opening weekend grossed over $77 million, making it one of the biggest December openings at the time.
Will Smith reportedly worked with a Navy SEAL to prepare for the physical demands of the role.
The Darkseekers were originally going to be played by real actors in makeup, but the final result used CGI due to time constraints and budget.

Why Watch?

Watch I Am Legend if you’re a fan of post-apocalyptic survival stories, intense action sequences, or character-driven films that explore themes of isolation and resilience. Will Smith delivers a powerful, emotional performance that makes the film much more than just a typical action-horror flick.