Throughout his illustrious career as a horror novelist, there’s always one recurring theme: the chilling aspects of small-town existence. This dreadful side persists in his writings, and he consistently uncovers something fresh and unnerving to explore. His second book, Salem’s Lot, may appear to be a tale about vampires at first glance, but it ultimately delves into the appalling actions ordinary people can commit. He revisits the sordid aspects of small towns in Pet Sematary, It, and Needful Things.
Despite his expertise in those fields, there was one book that didn’t hold a candle to the real terror portrayed in its movie version. In 2007, Frank Darabont – who later became a writer for The Walking Dead – directed a chilling adaptation of The Mist and left audiences stunned with an ending that wasn’t part of Stephen King’s original novella.
Frank Darabont Devastated Viewers With the Ending of The Mist
Prior to Frank Darabont’s recognition for transforming Robert Kirkman’s acclaimed zombie apocalypse graphic novel into a series, he was already renowned as a highly skilled artist in the realm of Stephen King. Across his career, he is recognized for works such as “The Shawshank Redemption,” “The Green Mile,” and “The Mist.
Among these works, two portrayed the grim realities of imprisonment, but it was Darabont’s third film, “The Mist,” that stood out as the most disheartening. Stephen King revisited his past in a quaint Maine town for this tale. The story unfolded around David Drayton, a local artist who had to battle for his life and his son when a dense fog enveloped their town. Taking shelter in the nearby supermarket along with numerous other townsfolk, they soon realized that this wasn’t an ordinary occurrence. Alongside the mist came creatures reminiscent of Lovecraft’s nightmares. For the most part, the film remained faithful to its source material, except for a shocking ending that left viewers shaken. After battling hordes of monsters and humanity’s darkest impulses, David, his son, and some other survivors managed to break free from the supermarket siege only to confront the harsh truth about their predicament. Even outside the store, there was no prospect for them.
The fog went on endlessly, offering no relief. In desperation, David found himself forced to euthanize everyone, including his son Billy, as he ran out of alternatives. With no more ammunition for himself, David succumbed to despair, but that wasn’t the worst aspect of his ordeal. Just a few moments later, David was astonished to witness the arrival of the military. The same individuals who had inadvertently let the fog in by tearing open a portal, these soldiers were now working to rectify their mistake. They arrived armed with flamethrowers and vehicles carrying survivors.
Overwhelmed by the recent turn of events, I can’t help but reflect on what could have been. If my group and the survivors had waited mere minutes more, we might have found rescue – a beacon of hope that would have saved my son’s life. This stark contrast is quite different from Stephen King’s novel ending, which carries a far less disheartening message.
Stephen King Supported Frank Darabont’s Change to The Mist
By 2007, Darabont had earned considerable respect following his work on The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile, which were both critically acclaimed adaptations. With The Mist, he had the opportunity to bring a new interpretation to the Stephen King novella, particularly in the film’s conclusion, as the book did not provide a definitive ending.
In the final pages of “The Mist” novel, the story concluded with an enigmatic sense of ambiguity as David and the remaining survivors emerged from the grocery store in search of sanctuary amidst the fog. The solitary glimmer of optimism came from a radio transmission, where someone on the other end uttered the name “Hartford.” This tantalizing clue suggested that there might be others surviving out there, and perhaps even a safe haven. However, readers were left without witnessing David’s ultimate rescue. Instead, this ending offered a more inspiring resolution to fans, hinting at hope for the future.
| Release Year | Creator | Distribution | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Mist film | 2007 | Frank Darabont | Dimension Films |
| The Mist novella | 1980 | Stephen King | Viking Press, later part of the short story collection, “The Skeleton Crew” |
When Darabont began adapting the story, an open-ended finale was not an option. As he mentioned in the commentary for The Mist, the film needed a definitive conclusion. With Stephen King’s approval, Darabont drew inspiration for this ending from the source material itself. In some of King’s writings, David contemplated potential actions if things took a turn for the worse.
Darabont brought his grim conclusion to life when he shot it for the series. If the military hadn’t intervened first with their rescue operations and extermination of creatures, David likely would have devised an escape plan for himself. Regardless of whether King authored it directly, this dark ending was a fitting finale for such a chilling tale, and one that Stephen King endorsed.
In the same interview, King expressed his agreement when Frank mentioned his intended conclusion. He found it exceptional, a stark departure from Hollywood norms. In fact, it was nihilistic, which appealed to him. Therefore, he encouraged Frank to proceed with his plan.
Stephen King has never been stingy with his compliments in film versions of his works. Known for granting movie rights to amateur filmmakers for a small fee, he is also open to modifications. Despite his initial dislike of Stanley Kubrick’s interpretation of ‘The Shining’, King can admit when these alterations enhance the work. Although often overlooked, ‘The Mist’ remains one of King’s notable adaptations.
The Mist Was Elevated Because of These Changes
Initially, the movie titled The Mist was often misconstrued due to its premise when it first hit the screens. At first glance, it appeared to be a simple monster movie lacking the complexity found in films like The Shawshank Redemption or The Green Mile. However, over time, the film’s stature grew, and it eventually garnered recognition similar to many others. Notable gritty character pieces were common, but every now and then, a chilling horror tale from Stephen King’s works would emerge. As such, ardent fans of the genre were eager to witness a hard-hitting creature feature under the guidance of an acclaimed director.
Darabont diligently prepared for this movie to measure up to his past projects. Just the roster of actors was enticing enough. Thomas Jayne, known for his roles in King adaptations, was part of the ensemble. Also joining were Sam Witwer, a familiar face in genre narratives, and Jeffrey DeMunn, a collaborator with whom Darabont often worked. However, it was Melissa McBride’s performance that truly stood out before she was eventually cast as .
McBride left spectators spellbound, which was quite challenging given that she had just one speaking role in the movie. Her character appeared at the film’s start and conclusion, reinforcing the main storyline’s message. At the onset of the movie, she was spotted in a grocery store as the mist descended and began to shatter. Despite everyone deciding it was too risky to venture outside due to the dangerous mist, she persisted in saying she needed to return home. She had left her two little children at home and was only meant to be away for a short while. In a moment of desperation, she pleaded with everyone present: “Isn’t there someone here who could escort a woman home?
When no one dared venture out amidst the unpredictability, she chose to go alone, vanishing into the fog, convinced of meeting her demise at the hands of the beasts lurking beyond. Yet, against all odds, she reappeared at last, following a sequence of events where David experienced the most tragic outcome conceivable. Miraculously, upon her return, she found her offspring safe and sound, rescued by the military – an achievement that eluded David despite his meticulous preparations.
In a scene from the movie, the woman highlighted an insignificant part that was shrouded in darkness. David believed his actions, which involved uniting the townspeople, were correct. However, they culminated in the grim occurrences at the film’s end, resulting in him losing everything. The Mist, according to many, surpassed Stephen King’s usual standard.
Even though a movie may feature monsters, it doesn’t necessarily mean it lacks a heartfelt narrative at its core. For instance, “The Mist” is an example of such a film – it tells a profound story despite its supernatural elements. Darabont consistently achieved this balance in his adaptations, primarily because he selected King’s tales that had potential for expansion.
Stephen King’s works, such as “The Shawshank Redemption,” “The Mist,” and “The Green Mile,” were adapted from shorter stories, serial publications, and original works respectively. In a way, director Frank Darabont had an exclusive connection to King’s creative mind, which proved fruitful. Notably, “The Mist” stands alongside the caliber of “The Shawshank Redemption,” with its alterations playing a significant role in this comparison.
Read More
- 50 Goal Sound ID Codes for Blue Lock Rivals
- Quarantine Zone: The Last Check Beginner’s Guide
- 50 Ankle Break & Score Sound ID Codes for Basketball Zero
- Basketball Zero Boombox & Music ID Codes – Roblox
- How to use a Modifier in Wuthering Waves
- Lucky Offense Tier List & Reroll Guide
- Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon: Best Beginner Build Guide
- Ultimate Myth Idle RPG Tier List & Reroll Guide
- INJ PREDICTION. INJ cryptocurrency
- Enshrouded Hemotoxin Crisis: How to Disable the Curse and Save Your Sanity!
2025-05-25 17:06