Of all the movie adaptations of Stephen King's beloved books, The Mist is one of the most popular. For some, the ending is frustrating, but for the most part, the reception was positive. David Drayton (Thomas Jane), his son Billy (Nathan Gamble), and other town residents realize that their home of Bridgton, Maine has been overtaken by a mysterious mist and some terrifying creatures. The story is powerful and filled with emotion.
The Mist was released in 2007 and since then, fans of Stephen King's work credit as being one of the most compelling and memorable adaptations. It has a 72% rating on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer and a 65% Audience Score. The Mist's ending is equally horrifying and unforgettable, which makes The Mist worth talking about all these years later.
What Happens In The Mist?
While there are some great non-horror Stephen King movies, The Mist is one of his best horror films. The story is simple but memorable: David and his son Billy are hiding in a supermarket, with David trying to save him and Billy. He's a strong character as he wants to help the people around him as well.
David doesn't suffer fools, though, and he isn't gullible. He knows that some people have the wrong approach to dealing with the mist and the strange bugs that have come with it. David is one of the best horror movie main characters because his journey is emotional and family-oriented. If he didn't care so much about his wife and son and want to make sure that his family has a proper future, it would be harder to sympathize with him and follow along with him.
The creatures in Stephen King's The Mist are horrifying and look like massive insects that can fly. They are called Pterobuzzards, which is a terrifying name. Throughout the movie, the theme of religion comes up several times. Mrs. Carmody's (Marcia Gay Harden) character arc is all about her religious beliefs and how she believes that she knows how to do with this situation. She believes that the creatures signify that the apocalypse is happening.
While many Stephen King books aren't movies, it's easy to see why director Frank Darabont was interested in bringing this book to the big screen. The story brings up important and compelling questions about what people would really do in this strange and confusing situation. And Thomas Jane gives an incredible performance as a father trying to help his son.
What Happens In The Mist Ending And What Is The Big Twist?
The Mist ending is a case of a Stephen King adaptation changing the book's ending. In the novel, David and some other characters are attempting to escape their town. While no one knows if they will be successful, that at least suggests some kind of hopeful conclusion. The same thing can't be said of The Mist movie ending. David goes back to his house and realizes that his wife Stephanie (Kelly Collins Lintz) has died. He is filled with grief and shoots his son Billy and three other town residents.
While David is trying to spare people the pain of being trapped in this town and eventually dying, it turns out that he acted too quickly. He realizes that a rescue mission has been successful and that the army is killing the creatures and helping people. He can't believe it and also finds it difficult to cope with this news.
The Mist ending is one reason why the movie is an underrated Stephen King adaptation. While it definitely offers up a big plot twist that is shocking, the ending also proves that The Mist is a character study of David Drayton. He does what he thinks is best for his child and then realizes that he was completely wrong. Thomas Jane's heartbroken face at the end of The Mist is so gutting that it's the most unforgettable part of the entire movie.
Does Stephen King Like The Mist Movie Adaptation?
Director Frank Darabont explained to Slash Film that this was the way to end The Mist because people "make the wrong decision" and "life is like that." In Slash Film's 15-year oral history of The Mist, Darabont said that Stephen King was fine with The Mist ending. The author is always honest about what he really thinks of the adaptations of his work since there have been so many.
Darabont said, "When Steve [King] read the script and I said, 'I won't make it if you don't want me to.' He said, "We need movies that dare to piss people off. We need movies like that, too." We need that 'Night of the Living Dead' thing, where it's not just tied up in a nice bow and there's just this reassuring happy Hallmark bumper sticker thing."