Director: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Will Smith, Michael B. Jordan, Sennia Nanua
Release Date: March 21, 2025
Runtime: 138 minutes

A Long-Awaited Sequel That Struggles to Recapture the Original’s Magic

Seventeen years after I Am Legend (2007) left audiences debating its alternate endings, Warner Bros. has finally resurrected the franchise with I Am Legend 2. Directed once again by Francis Lawrence and starring Will Smith reprising his role as Dr. Robert Neville—alongside newcomer Michael B. Jordan—the sequel attempts to expand the world while grappling with the same existential themes of survival, hope, and what it truly means to be “legend.”

But does it live up to the original? The answer is complicated. While I Am Legend 2 delivers breathtaking visuals, strong performances, and some genuinely tense moments, it also suffers from an overstuffed plot, inconsistent pacing, and a reliance on franchise-building over cohesive storytelling.

Plot Overview: A New Hope in a Dying World

(Minor spoilers ahead.)

Picking up years after the original film’s theatrical ending (where Neville sacrifices himself to ensure Anna and Ethan escape with the cure), I Am Legend 2 reveals that the cure was only partially effective. While some Darkseekers (the infected vampire-like creatures) were reverted to human form, many mutated further, becoming even more dangerous.

Now, a new survivor colony—led by a hardened scientist named Dr. Elias Cole (Michael B. Jordan)—has emerged, working to refine Neville’s cure. But when they intercept a radio signal suggesting Neville might still be alive, Anna (now played by Sennia Nanua, replacing Alice Braga) and Cole embark on a perilous journey back to New York City to find him.

What follows is a mix of survival horror, philosophical dilemmas, and explosive action as Neville—revealed to have been in hiding—must decide whether to trust these newcomers or continue his solitary mission. Meanwhile, a new alpha Darkseeker (played by The Last of Us’s Troy Baker) emerges, leading a coordinated assault against the last remnants of humanity.

Strengths: What Works in I Am Legend 2

1. Will Smith’s Powerful Return

Smith slips back into Neville’s role effortlessly, portraying a man who has aged into weary resilience. His performance is the film’s emotional anchor, particularly in quieter moments where he grapples with guilt over his past failures.

2. Michael B. Jordan’s Compelling Presence

Jordan brings intensity and moral ambiguity to Dr. Cole, whose methods are far more ruthless than Neville’s. Their ideological clashes provide some of the film’s best scenes.

3. Stunning Visuals & World-Building

The decayed, overgrown New York City remains hauntingly beautiful, with even more creative set pieces (a flooded Times Square, a Darkseeker nest inside Grand Central). The CGI creatures are improved, though still occasionally uneven.

4. Genuinely Tense Horror Sequences

A nighttime raid on Neville’s hideout and a claustrophobic subway tunnel chase deliver the kind of dread the original did so well.

5. Ambitious Themes

The film explores whether Neville’s legend—his mythos as humanity’s last hope—is more important than his actual survival. It also questions whether the Darkseekers are truly monsters or just another species fighting to exist.

Weaknesses: Where the Sequel Stumbles

1. Overcomplicated Storytelling

The original was a tight, character-driven survival film. This sequel introduces too many new factions, lore dumps, and underdeveloped side characters (including a forgettable child survivor subplot).

2. Uneven Pacing

The first act drags with exposition, while the final battle feels rushed—a common issue in modern blockbusters.

3. Too Much Action, Not Enough Isolation

One of the first film’s strengths was its eerie loneliness. This sequel, by necessity, loses that atmosphere, replacing it with generic shootouts.

4. A Messy Ending That Feels Like Sequel Bait

Without spoiling it, the climax introduces a major twist that feels unearned and clearly sets up I Am Legend 3.

Final Verdict: A Worthy but Imperfect Follow-Up

I Am Legend 2 is a solid sequel that expands the world in interesting ways but struggles to balance its ambitions with what made the original special. Will Smith and Michael B. Jordan’s performances elevate the material, and the horror elements still work—but the bloated plot and franchise-driven storytelling keep it from greatness.

Rating: 7/10

Pros:

• Will Smith & Michael B. Jordan’s performances
• Stunning post-apocalyptic visuals
• Some genuinely terrifying sequences
• Thought-provoking themes

Cons:

• Overstuffed with underdeveloped ideas
• Loses the original’s haunting solitude
• Ending feels like setup for another sequel

For Fans Of: The Last of Us, 28 Days Later, A Quiet Place

Should You Watch It?

• If you loved the original, you’ll find enough here to enjoy—but temper expectations.
• If you prefer tight survival stories, this might feel too sprawling.
• If you just want Will Smith vs. monsters, you’ll get your money’s worth.

I Am Legend 2 doesn’t redefine the genre, but it’s a compelling enough return to Neville’s world—flaws and all.