The Story in Brief
Robert Neville is the last uninfected man on Earth. A pandemic has turned the rest of humanity into vampires — creatures that gather outside his fortified house each night, calling his name, waiting. By day he hunts them. By night he drinks and tries not to go mad. Richard Matheson's 1954 novella is one of the foundational texts of modern horror — it influenced Stephen King, George Romero's zombie films, and effectively invented the post-apocalyptic survival genre. Francis Lawrence's 2007 film, with Will Smith giving one of his finest performances, grossed $585 million worldwide. It is a gripping, technically accomplished film with the wrong ending.
Key Differences
The Ending: A Paradigm Shift
Matheson's novella concludes with a profound revelation: the 'vampires' have formed a new society, and Neville, in their eyes, is the monstrous anomaly—the creature of nightmare. This inversion of perspective is the novel's enduring power. The 2007 film, however, opts for a conventional heroic ending where Neville sacrifices himself for a group of survivors, thereby missing the novella's central theme about the relativity of monstrosity. An alternate ending closer to Matheson's was filmed but not used in the theatrical release.
Vampires as a Developing Society
In Matheson's work, the vampires are not merely mindless creatures. They exhibit fear, organization, and are in the process of building a new civilization. Ben Cortman, the leader who appears nightly outside Neville's home, conveys a desperate, almost human plea beneath the horror. The film's infected, rendered through CGI, are depicted as purely predatory entities lacking any discernible interiority, which serves the horror aspect but undermines the novel's argument about societal evolution and survival.
Will Smith's Solitary Performance
A significant achievement of the film is its extended depiction of Smith as Neville, alone in a deserted New York. His portrayal of isolation, hunting, and maintaining mental discipline to stave off despair is captivating. Smith's performance is the film's emotional anchor, elevated by the script's focus on his solitary struggle.
Neville's Scientific Endeavors
The book's Neville is an autodidact, meticulously researching biology from library texts, a process that adds texture to the narrative. The film elevates him to a professional military virologist, lending his scientific pursuits a more conventional credibility but diminishing the sense of an ordinary man's persistent struggle. The novel showcases persistence and intellect; the film emphasizes professional expertise.
The Emotional Arc of Sam the Dog
Both the book and film feature Neville's dog, Sam, as his sole companion. The film's depiction of Sam's fate is arguably the most emotionally resonant moment in either adaptation, surpassing the novella's treatment. This particular element is one of the rare instances where the film enhances the source material, delivering a powerful emotional impact.
Should You Read First?
Absolutely. Reading the novella is essential to appreciate the original ending, a philosophical twist that the film's theatrical cut eschews. The 2007 film, while an engaging thriller, fundamentally alters Matheson's core message. It is recommended to read the book first and then seek out the alternate ending version of the film to gain a more complete understanding. The novella itself is a concise, impactful read, culminating in one of genre fiction's most memorable final lines.
Richard Matheson's 'I Am Legend' is a masterclass in horror and philosophical storytelling, boasting one of genre fiction's most paradigm-shifting endings. While the 2007 film adaptation is a technically brilliant and emotionally charged survival movie, its deviation from the novel's thematic core is significant. Will Smith delivers a compelling performance, but the film's conventional heroic conclusion fails to capture the nuanced commentary on humanity and monstrosity present in Matheson's original work. For its groundbreaking ending and profound ideas, the book remains the definitive experience.