8 Science Fiction Movies Ruined By Their Twists

I Am Legend is the best example of a film that could have been. Based on the 1954 novel by Richard Matheson, the film follows sole survivor Will Smith as he navigates an apocalyptic new world, where vampire-like victims of a pandemic wait to attack should he make one wrong move. Attempting to find a cure, the film ends with such a remedy being found, and Smith blowing himself, a bunch of grisly monsters, and almost his newfound companions up in the process.

This plot twist is slightly different, in that the film decided to adapt the original ending into this action-fuelled mess instead of opting for a nuanced discovery, that being that the creatures actually can think, feel, and are really upset with Smith for killing and stealing them away to get tested on at every available opportunity. Fair enough really.

It's the lack of plot twist that really cemented I Am Legend's downfall, as now whenever anyone hears of the alternative version, the original seems that much more empty and cliched for its choices. The studio's decision to eradicate the twist, or provide their own twist where the creatures aren't considered in the slightest despite seeding evidence that they are fully feeling throughout the movie, is a cop out.