The Mist Ending Explained, Review, Plot Summary, and More
by A Maria
Updated Mar 28, 2023
The Mist - Film
"The Mist" is a 2007 American science-fiction horror film adaptation of Stephen King's novella of the same name, written and directed by Frank Darabont. The film features an ensemble cast, including Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Nathan Gamble, Andre Braugher, Sam Witwer, Toby Jones, Frances Sternhagen, and others. The story revolves around the residents of Bridgton, Maine, who are trapped in a supermarket after a mysterious mist engulfs the town, concealing grotesque monsters. The film explores the theme of how ordinary people behave in extraordinary situations. The ending of the film was revised from the novella, and unique creature designs were created for the monsters. The film was shot in Shreveport, Louisiana, and was released on November 21, 2007, to positive reviews and box office success. Darabont has revealed that he always intended to shoot the film in black and white, and the director's preferred version is the black-and-white print released on DVD and Blu-ray in 2008.
The Mist ending explained
The conclusion of The Mist is a source of debate among viewers, as it differs from the novella's ending and left some feeling unsatisfied. Stephen King's The Mist was originally published as part of the Skeleton Crew short story collection and became a beloved work among King fans. In 2007, Frank Darabont directed a film adaptation, which received praise for its atmosphere and casting, as well as its portrayal of otherworldly creatures. However, some viewers found fault with the controversial ending, which is suitably dark and disturbing for a horror movie, but not what many expected or wanted. The conclusion sees the main characters trapped in a grocery store while the mist and monsters envelop the town. Ultimately, the ending is multi-layered and requires a closer examination of the story's progression. Despite its divisive conclusion, The Mist remains a compelling and worthwhile film for horror fans.
What happens at the end of The Mist Netflix?
The movie's plot revolves around a town that becomes enveloped in a thick mist that conceals giant insects and creatures. Throughout the film, a group of survivors fights for their lives while trapped inside a supermarket, seeking refuge from the deadly creatures lurking outside. In the final scenes of the movie, Thomas Jane's character, David Drayton, along with a few others, including his 8-year-old son, escape from the supermarket in a car, but it breaks down. The group realizes that they are doomed to be killed by the creatures and decides to end their own lives to avoid a painful death.
David, the only one with a gun, is left with the responsibility of killing everyone. However, there are only four bullets left for the five people in the car. David is forced to make the difficult decision to kill his son, Dan, Amanda, and Irene, leaving himself to be devoured by the creatures. Just as he goes out to offer himself to The Mist, a U.S. Army vehicle pulls up, revealing that they have the situation under control, and the survivors are rescued.
The ending of the film left many viewers feeling sad and conflicted, as it portrays the extreme measures that humans are capable of in dire situations and the consequences of their choices. Reddit users have shared their thoughts on the ending, expressing their mixed feelings about the characters' decisions and the overall impact of the movie.
Cast of The Mist movie
CAST
CHARACTERS
Thomas Jane
David Drayton
Marcia Gay Harden
Mrs. Carmody
Laurie Holden
Amanda Dunfrey
Andre Braugher
Brent Norton
Toby Jones
Ollie Weeks
William Sadler
Jim Grondin
Jeffrey DeMunn
Dan Miller
Frances Sternhagen
Irene Reppler
Sam Witwer
Private Wayne Jessup
Alexa Davalos
Sally
Nathan Gamble
Billy Drayton
Chris Owen
Norm
Robert Treveiler
Bud Brown
David Jensen
Myron LaFleur
Melissa McBride
an unnamed woman
Andy Stahl
Mike Hatlen
Buck Taylor
Ambrose Cornell
Juan Gabriel Pareja
Morales
Walter Fauntleroy
Donaldson
Brandon O'Dell
Bobby Eagleton
Jackson Hurst
Joe Eagleton
Susan Watkins
Hattie Turman
Mathew Greer
Silas
Kelly Collins Lintz
Stephanie Drayton
Ron Clinton Smith
Mr. Mackey
Amin Joseph
a military police officer
The Mist plot summary
During a severe thunderstorm in Bridgton, Maine, a tree falls into the lakeside home of artist David Drayton, his wife Stephanie, and their eight-year-old son Billy. The next morning, while surveying the damage, they notice a thick mist advancing over the lake. David and Billy leave for the town with their neighbor Brent Norton to buy supplies. However, as they watch from inside the supermarket, a civil alert siren sounds and the mist envelops the store. They soon realize that there are dangerous creatures lurking in the mist.
Despite barricading the storefront windows, one of the store's workers, Norm, is grabbed by a tentacled creature and dragged into the mist. Mrs. Carmody, a religious woman, begins preaching about an impending Armageddon, while Brent and a small group leave the store to seek outside help and are presumably killed. As the night falls, the store is attacked by enormous flying insects and pterodactyl-like creatures, killing some people and causing panic among the survivors. Carmody gains more followers and influence, offering protection from divine wrath to new converts.
David forms connections with several people in the store, including Amanda Dunfrey and Irene Reppler, two teachers who come into conflict with Carmody's religious take on the disaster. The next day, a soldier reveals that a government project to discover other dimensions was underway at the local military base, and that scientists accidentally opened a doorway into the creatures' habitat.
As David and his group prepare to leave the store the next morning, they are stopped by Carmody, who chooses Billy as the next sacrifice to appease the monsters. Ollie shoots and kills Carmody, and the traumatized survivors allow the group to leave. Driving through the mist, David finds his home destroyed and Stephanie dead. Devastated, he drives away from town, passing a colossal six-legged beast and eventually running out of gas. With no means of escaping the mist, the adults decide to end their lives. Aiding their suicide, David shoots Billy and the other three survivors before leaving the car to be taken by the creatures.
The mist suddenly dissipates, revealing the vanguard of a U.S. Army armored column beginning the process of exterminating the creatures and restoring order. David realizes that he killed his son and fellow survivors as they were just moments away from rescue and screams in despair.
About The Mist movie
SPECIFICATIONS
DETAILS
Directed by
Frank Darabont
Screenplay by
Frank Darabont
Based on
The Mist
by Stephen King
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography
Rohn Schmidt
Edited by
Hunter M. Via
Music by
Mark Isham
Production
company
Darkwoods Productions
Distributed by
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Dimension Films
The Weinstein Company
Release date
November 21, 2007
Running time
126 minutes
Country
United States
Language
English
Budget
$18 million
Box office
$57.3 million
The Mist ending explained - FAQs
"The Mist" is a 2007 American science-fiction horror film based on Stephen King's novella of the same name. It was written and directed by Frank Darabont and features an ensemble cast.
The film features an ensemble cast, including Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Nathan Gamble, Andre Braugher, Sam Witwer, Toby Jones, Frances Sternhagen, and others.
The story revolves around the residents of Bridgton, Maine, who are trapped in a supermarket after a mysterious mist engulfs the town, concealing grotesque monsters. The film explores the theme of how ordinary people behave in extraordinary situations.
The ending of the film was revised from the novella. We won't spoil it here, but it has become a topic of much discussion and debate among fans of the story.
The film was shot in Shreveport, Louisiana.