Stephen King's Darkest Film Adaptation Still Haunts Viewers 19 Years Later
The 2007 movie version of The Mist completely rewrote Stephen King's hopeful novel ending, creating what many consider the most devastating finale in cinema history.
Stephen King crafted a hopeful conclusion for his novel The Mist, but the 2007 film adaptation delivered something entirely different. Director Frank Darabont transformed King's optimistic ending into pure devastation that left audiences emotionally shattered.
King typically dislikes movie versions of his books, but he praised Darabont's brutal approach to The Mist's climax. The novel follows survivors disappearing into the mist with hope for eventual safety. The film introduces a different kind of monster entirely.
The Ending That Changed Everything
Darabont's version shows David and fellow survivors driving aimlessly for days through the mysterious fog. Desperation finally overwhelms the group. They make a collective decision to end their suffering.
David kills every survivor with their permission, including his own young son. He steps outside the vehicle expecting monsters to finish him off. What happens next transforms relief into pure agony.
Military forces emerge from the mist. The creatures have been defeated. David realizes that waiting just minutes longer would have saved everyone, especially his child. His screams of anguish echo the audience's horror.
King's Reaction to the Brutal Change
"It was so anti-Hollywood — anti-everything, really! It was nihilistic. I liked that," King told Yahoo Entertainment in 2017, describing his reaction ten years after the film's release.
The author appreciated how Darabont rejected typical Hollywood conventions. Most studios would never approve such a bleak conclusion, but it created lasting impact.
Behind the Scenes Decisions
Darabont originally planned to show a military laboratory accident releasing the mist. During dinner with cast member Andre Braugher, the actor questioned whether this exposition was necessary.
Braugher's input convinced Darabont to cut the explanation scene. The ambiguous origin made the horror more effective.
A 2017 television series attempted another adaptation but failed to capture the film's devastating power. The show introduced military conspiracies and prisoner experiments but lacked the emotional punch of Darabont's version.
The 2007 film remains available on Plex for viewers brave enough to experience its unforgiving finale.