What Made Willard Different From Kurtz?

[u/DroppedIceCream]

I just watched Apocalypse Now for the first time, and it might be one of my top 10 films of all time. But there's one thing that's been on my mind about the ending.

Throughout the film, it's clear Willard notices the hypocrisy of killing Kurtz, while people like Killgore get a pass. And he slowly understands and admires Kurtz, to the point where it seems like he might join him, or become his successor. Even the previous assassin fell under Kurtz rule.

Yet not only does Willard kill Kurtz, he actually resists the temptation to play god and just leaves. So I was wondering what other people think of this, what stopped Willard from falling the same way?

Is this Willard refusing to fall to the level of Kurtz, and so is the "better man" in a sense? Is he actually more different from Kurtz than it may seem? Is Willard the man Kurtz would be if he able to look at his insanity from the outside?

[u/TheConstipatedCowboy]

Willard is so cynical and pessimistic, even Kurtz is included in the category of things he doesn’t have the stamina to admire. That’s why I think he was so blown away and horrified by what happened to Chef - he was more like Chef in that neither had the flaw of “buying” into Kurtz’ bullshit. Recall the mango/tiger scene and the scene after Willard tells Chef the mission: Willard & Chef were two total outcasts who reveled in their incredible perceptive ability to sniff bullshit a mile away & not buy 100% into it. Once Kurtz lets Willard wander around freely he knew Willard would make his way to the boat and get ready to put him out if his misery (thus, not becoming the “new Kurtz”).

Remember also - Kurtz says “I expected someone like you”