28 Years Later
Danny Boyle’s 2002 masterpiece 28 DAYS LATER not only reinvigorated the zombie genre, it completely redefined it. Unlike others in the genre, it was a film that didn’t confine itself to an audience of horror aficionados. 
The gritty, frenetic feel and sprawling shots of an abandoned London made the project feel like something entirely new, and introduced future Oscar winner Cillian Murphy to the masses. The soundtrack added to the intensity in a way that made it feel as if it were a character on its own, and the old-school, lumbering, stiff-limbed undead of the past were replaced with sprinting, rage-infected terrors. For these and countless other reasons, it shattered the walls of the horror genre, finding an audience who typically would never typically never watch a “zombie” movie. It was, and remains, the greatest horror film ever made.
The sequel, 28 WEEKS LATER, relegated Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland to the producer’s chairs, and while still thrilling (and featuring an instantly classic opening scene) it didn’t have the same bite as the original.
There had always been whispers that the franchise would continue in some form in the future, but these rumors finally proved to be true when it was announced that Boyle and Garland would be returning for the first film in a potential new trilogy.
While nothing will ever compare to the original, 28 YEARS LATER surpasses expectations and already ranks amongst the best films of the year. The primal fear that permeated through every frame of 28 DAYS LATER isn’t quite as prevalent here, yet it strikes an electric balance between carnage and storytelling in equal measure.
It has been 28 years since the rage virus decimated the British Isles which remain under quarantine. A group of survivors has established a colony of their own on the island of Lindisfarne, recapturing a way of life that no longer seemed possible. Fortified by a causeway from the mainland, people go to work, kids go to school, and life goes on. 12-year-old Spike (Alfie Williams) is set to go on his first pilgrimage to the mainland, which is a rite of passage for the youth of the community. His father, Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) will oversee the journey, teaching his son how to scavenge and more importantly, how to slay the infected. Though his mind is burdened by the mysterious illness of his mother (Jodie Comer) the young man is excited by the prospect of getting out into the world, no matter how terrifying it may be.
The infected have evolved in a multitude of terrifying ways since the virus first broke out. While some now are bloated beasts, slithering on the ground and slurping worms, others became even more vicious and blood-thirsty as they were nearly three decades prior. To complicate matters even further, alphas have emerged. They are giant, tenacious, and virtually impossible to kill. 
Garland’s screenplay delivers moments that shock, sadden, and electrify. What begins as a survivalist tale evolves into something much more profound as Spike begins to grasp the horrors and heartache of what it means to be human. Williams is impossibly great in his first leading role. Becoming the face of a franchise is never an easy task, let alone one that is so beloved and influential. He stands alongside Taylor-Johnson, Comer, and Ralph Fiennes with the ease of a veteran, commanding the screen regardless of what is happening around him.
Boyle’s direction provides the spark that was missing in WEEKS. Utilizing iPhones to record much of the action, it is a vision that, while perhaps not quite as revolutionary as his work in 2002, still feels fresh and exciting. There are many sequences that are horrifying and beautiful in equal measure. Some of these will be difficult to stomach for the squeamish but massively rewarding for those willing to engage in the journey.
It is important to note that the end of the film is a direct set up for the sequel, THE BONE TEMPLE, which has already been filmed and was directed by Nia DaCosta based on the screenplay by Garland and produced by Boyle. Whether or not the final film in the trilogy will be made is still up in the air but based on early box office receipts and an excellent word of mouth, the future of this dark franchise is looking incredibly bright.
28 YEARS LATER
GRADE: A
RATED: R
RUN TIME: 1h 55min
GENRE: Zombie Horror, Thriller
STARRING: Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes
DIRECTOR: Danny Boyle
WRITER: Alex Garland
