Existential Isolation and the Search for Meaning in I Am Legend (2007): An Absurdist Reading

Abstract

This study examines the themes of existential isolation and the search for meaning in I Am Legend (2007) through the lens of Albert Camus's theory of Absurdism, as articulated in The Myth of Sisyphus (1942). The film follows Dr. Robert Neville, who navigates a desolate New York City overrun by a pandemic, accompanied only by his loyal dog, Sam. Camus's philosophy posits that individuals confront a universe devoid of inherent purpose yet can assert freedom by embracing the absurd and engaging in sustained rebellion against it. By analyzing Neville's repetitive survival routines, his daily patrols, scientific experiments, and poignant moments of companionship with Sam, this study demonstrates how such behaviors function as acts of defiance that confer personal significance. The dynamic between Neville and Sam serves as emotional scaffolding, illustrating how meaningful connections foster resilience amid despair. The analysis reveals how the film dramatizes the human capacity to define one's essence through committed action, even when faced with an indifferent cosmos, contributing to interdisciplinary conversations in film studies, philosophy, and psychology.