It's been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped from a biological weapons laboratory. Still living in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amid the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily defended causeway. When one of them decides to venture into the dark heart of the mainland, he soon discovers a mutation that has spread to not only the infected, but other survivors as well.
Director: Danny Boyle
Cast: Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Alfie Williams, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell
Release Date: June 20, 2025
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Rated R for strong bloody violence, grisly images, graphic nudity, language and brief sexuality.
Runtime: 1h 55m
Review:
28 Years Later subverts expectations at every turn as Danny Boyle's return brings back his frenzied, kinetic style paired with an overstuffed script from Alex Garland that aims for something far more meaningful and epic than you'd expect. Boyle takes the reins behind the camera, after ushering a new age of zombie films with 28 Days Later, with confidence that shines through as he delivers an evocative, fever dream of a film. There are moments scattered throughout its nearly two-hour runtime that are simply mesmerizing in such a way that they almost feel other worldly even though the story boils down to coming-of-age tale. It’s a visually aggressive film that feeds images in such a steady succession that it rarely gives the audience a moment to fully dissect what is being splashed on screen. There's still plenty of "rage" induced action, but Boyle is far more concerned with the characters living in this postapocalyptic landscape. It’s chock-full with allegorical meaning, speaking to variety of issues and concepts currently playing out in the real world. Those looking for more action heavy, more mindless zombie fare might be left disappointed here as the story stakes out its own path with some choices working better than others. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Alfie Williams carry the first half of the film as we follow a seemingly straightforward father/son relationship before slow reveals open up the story to its back half with the character's mother played well by Jodie Comer. Ralph Fiennes gets the least amount of screentime of the main characters, but his inspired turn leaves such a big impression that you wish Boyle would have given him more time to flesh him out. When it’s all said and done, Alfie Williams deserves a hefty bit of credit for serving as the film's life blood as the film ends with a set up for the 28 Years Later sequel that looks to take everything in a more Romeroesque vibe.
A-
