I Am Legend

I Am Legend is currently streaming in Australia on Stan and HBO Max, and in the UK on Netflix and HBO Max Amazon Channel, and it earns its premise rather than just borrowing genre trappings. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. 16,988 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Will Smith leads a cast that never lets the concept overwhelm the characters. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Stan.

I Am Legend arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. What makes I Am Legend work is that the ideas never crowd out the people having them. Robert Neville is a scientist who was unable to stop the spread of the terrible virus that was incurable and man-made. Immune, Neville is now the last human survivor in what is left of New York City and perhaps the world. For three years, Neville has faithfully sent out daily radio messages, desperate to find any other survivors who might be out there. Will Smith and Alice Braga lead a cast that never lets the concept overwhelm the characters. I Am Legend came out in 2007. What separates I Am Legend from lesser genre entertainment is a willingness to let the concept cost the characters something. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Viewers burned by ambitious sci-fi that could not sustain its premise should give I Am Legend a chance. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Will Smith's performance is the anchor the more ambitious moments need. The world-building pays off in ways you will not anticipate on a first watch.