Isn't that what you hated about "The Mist"? TonyD - not looking to pick a fight, we'll just have to agree to disagree. Again - I really loved the film, I just found the ending weak and wanting.
There is no "appropriate" ending - it is what is and in my opinion, predictable (no closure, main characters dead, etc). This isn't a difficult concept....
I'll retract "boring", but how could you not classify that ending as anything but predictable? I loved the movie overall. I don't know that the creature being a pup makes a difference to me for the story - those crazy ass crab things falling off it were pretty nasty - alien fleas!
The splash is clearly visible in one of the alternate endings - I didn't go back to the film to see if it was there. Look at the 2nd alt end and watch the ship out in the ocean to the right of the screen...the ending was predictable and boring, other than that I liked it.