The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013), directed by and starring Ben Stiller, is a modern reimagining of James Thurber’s 1939 short story. It’s part adventure, part introspection, and all about finding courage in the ordinary.

Detailed Summary

Walter’s Daydreams and Ordinary Life

Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) is a quiet, mild-mannered photo editor at Life magazine. His life is monotonous, with his only adventures taking place in elaborate daydreams where he imagines himself as a hero, an explorer, or a romantic conqueror. These fantasies are triggered by the smallest things—someone saying something snarky, a glance at his crush Cheryl (Kristen Wiig), or the thought of an exciting life he’s not living.

The Missing Negative #25

Life magazine is transitioning from print to digital, and Walter’s department is downsizing. Celebrated photojournalist Sean O’Connell (Sean Penn) sends Walter film negatives along with a note saying that Negative #25 is his “quintessential shot” and should be used for the final cover. But Negative #25 is missing, and Walter’s boss Ted (Adam Scott) pressures him to find it quickly.

The Search Becomes Real

Determined to find the missing negative, Walter steps out of his comfort zone. Following clues from Sean’s other photos, he travels first to Greenland, then to Iceland, facing situations far outside his normal routine—jumping from a helicopter into icy water, escaping an erupting volcano, skateboarding down winding roads. Walter’s daydreams slowly fade as his real-life adventures become just as exciting as the ones in his head.

Meeting Sean O’Connell

Walter tracks Sean to the Himalayas, where he’s photographing a snow leopard. In one of the film’s most quietly powerful moments, Sean chooses not to take a photo, explaining that sometimes he prefers to just be present in the moment. Sean reveals that the missing Negative #25 had been slipped into the wallet he sent Walter earlier—something Walter had carelessly discarded.

Movie Ending

Walter returns home, realizing the negative was with him the whole time. He retrieves it from the wallet, hands it over, and is promptly fired as part of the downsizing.

As Walter walks away from the Life offices, he meets Cheryl again, and they reconnect, this time with mutual interest. Later, walking down the street, Walter sees the final printed issue of Life magazine on a newsstand. The cover image is revealed: it’s a candid shot of Walter sitting outside the building, sorting through negatives—Sean’s quiet tribute to the man who kept Life’s photographs safe for so many years.

The film closes with Walter and Cheryl walking away together, suggesting Walter’s life has permanently shifted from cautious daydreaming to active living.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty does not have a post-credits or mid-credits scene. The story concludes entirely before the credits roll, and there are no extra teasers or epilogues afterward.

Type of Movie

Adventure, comedy-drama, inspirational. It blends grounded human emotion with whimsical imagination and travel escapism.

Cast

• Ben Stiller as Walter Mitty
• Kristen Wiig as Cheryl Melhoff
• Sean Penn as Sean O’Connell
• Adam Scott as Ted Hendricks
• Shirley MacLaine as Edna Mitty
• Patton Oswalt as Todd Maher

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Theodore Shapiro, but the soundtrack is equally important, featuring songs from José González (notably “Stay Alive”), Of Monsters and Men, and David Bowie’s “Space Oddity”—the latter playing a symbolic role in Walter’s journey.

Filming Locations

• Greenland scenes – filmed in Stykkishólmur, Iceland.
• Iceland scenes – filmed in Seyðisfjörður, Iceland (standing in for both Greenland and Iceland).
• Himalayas scenes – filmed in Iceland’s Vatnajökull National Park and parts of New York studios.
  Iceland’s vast landscapes became a visual metaphor for Walter’s expanding courage and self-discovery.

Awards and Nominations

While the film didn’t dominate awards season, it earned praise for cinematography and soundtrack. It received several nominations from critics’ groups for production design and music.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Ben Stiller served as both lead actor and director, often reviewing his own takes mid-scene.
• The helicopter jump scene in Greenland was filmed in icy Icelandic waters—Stiller performed several of the stunts himself.
• Sean Penn filmed all his scenes in just two days.
• Many of Walter’s skateboard sequences were done by professional skater Brian Holden.

Inspirations and References

The film is loosely based on James Thurber’s short story The Secret Life of Walter Mitty but expands on the narrative, adding global adventure and romance elements. It also draws inspiration from the original 1947 Danny Kaye film adaptation, though the tone is more grounded and modern.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Some deleted scenes focused more on Walter’s relationship with his sister and mother, as well as extended dream sequences. An alternate ending reportedly had Walter seeing the Life magazine cover in a shop window without Cheryl present, but the theatrical ending was chosen for emotional closure.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The short story features Walter entirely in daydreams, with no actual adventures—he never leaves his small town. The film flips this, turning Walter’s imagined bravery into genuine action.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Walter’s first transition from a daydream into a real adventure in Greenland.
• The skateboard descent down the winding Icelandic road.
• Sean O’Connell watching the snow leopard instead of photographing it.
• The reveal of the Life magazine cover with Walter on it.

Iconic Quotes

• Sean O’Connell: “Beautiful things don’t ask for attention.”
• Life magazine motto: “To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of Life.”
• Walter: “I just live by the motto of Life magazine.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The Life magazine motto is inspired by the real magazine’s historic editorial mission.
• Some background photos in Walter’s office are actual shots from Life’s archives.
• Sean Penn’s snow leopard scene nods to real National Geographic photographer ethics.

Trivia

• The movie took nearly a decade to get made, passing through multiple directors before Ben Stiller.
• José González recorded “Stay Alive” specifically for the film after reading the script.
• Kristen Wiig’s performance of “Space Oddity” was recorded live on set.

Why Watch?

For those seeking a film that inspires travel, self-discovery, and courage in the face of ordinary life, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty delivers both breathtaking visuals and a heartfelt message. It’s equally suited for those who want an uplifting adventure and those who enjoy introspective character studies.

Director’s Other Movies

• Tropic Thunder (2008)
• Reality Bites (1994)
• Zoolander (2001)
• Zoolander 2 (2016)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Into the Wild (2007)
• Up in the Air (2009)
• Julie & Julia (2009)
• Eat Pray Love (2010)
• Amélie (2001)