28 Years Later – Movie Review (4/5)

28 YEARS LATER is the very long-awaited 28 Days Later sequel set nearly three decades after the original movie. Danny Boyle and Alex Garland are back as director and writer, and the Rage Virus is still haunting the UK. Part one of a trilogy. Read our full 28 Years Later movie review here!

28 YEARS LATER is a new horror movie from director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland, who also created the original rage virus zombie movie from 2002. That’s right, this is the very long-awaited 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later sequel.

ARE YOU READY FOR 28 YEARS LATER?

Then be sure to check out our feature with all must-know details here >

This movie is so full of humanity and heart (as was the first movie), but it’s also very brutal and extremely violent. Again, just like the first movie. The only downfall – well, just a bit – is that this is the first of a planned trilogy, and it shows, so it feels strangely incomplete.

Continue reading our 28 Years Later movie review below. Find it in theaters worldwide from June 20, 2025.

It’s been 28 years, and the rage continues

When 28 Years Later opens, it’s with a scene somewhat similar to the first movie, 28 Days Later. We see the rage virus spread rapidly, and it’s murder and mayhem, where only a few survive.

Then there’s a 28-year time jump, and now we’re closer to the present. While it’s been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, the UK is still in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine.

QUICK SIDE NOTE ABOUT 28 WEEKS LATER

Don’t worry too much about the ending of 28 Weeks Later. That movie did not come from the franchise creators Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, and it’s still “just” the UK being quarantined.

Back to 28 Years Later, where a group of uninfected humans have found refuge on a small island. The kind that is only connected to mainland UK by a single causeway. Essentially, this means they can defend it easily if anyone should approach when it’s low tide.

The people on this island have created a new community and begun to live again. Not unlike what we’ve seen in The Walking Dead. However, just like in that zombie graphic novel and series, they have to venture out for food and supplies.

During one of these missions to the still-infected mainland, they will discover new things. Like how the world of the infected has evolved. We’ve got both slow and fast “berserkers”.

Reminder: Rather than calling the rage virus-infected “zombies”, they are called “berserkers” as they go berserk.

The Alpha berserkers of 28 Years Later are huge

Also, there are huge berserkers called an “Alpha”. These particular creatures have grown taller, stronger, faster, and, ahem, larger in every single sense of the word.

Oh yeah, this is definitely something people will be talking about when watching the movie in theaters.

I suspect movie theaters will be full of laughter or feelings of shock and discomfort. In Europe, I suspect people will react less, while some areas of the US might have very strong reactions.

Then again, those people would call horror movies demonic, so maybe they’ll just skip it. Not that this would ever keep that kind of person from commenting on said movies.

Anyway, we shall see.

Had this movie been 3D, you’d be afraid something might hit you in the eye. Just sayin’! It’s as impressive as it is terrifying. Also, it would be wildly unrealistic to think these berserkers (slow, quick, alphas, and everything in between) would worry about clothes.

This makes sense!

Amazing cast for the Rage Virus movies

28 Years Later is the third film in the 28 Days Later franchise, but it’s mostly a sequel to the first movie. Also, it’s the first movie in what is planned as a new trilogy. The second movie is scheduled for release in early 2026 and will be titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.

In any case, all three movies have so far had brilliant casts. The first one featured Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson, and Christopher Eccleston. The second movie, 28 Weeks Later, had Idris Elba, Jeremy Renner, Rose Byrne, and Robert Carlyle.

Hot tip: Cillian Murphy is onboard as a producer for this third movie and is expected to return later in the trilogy. Read more about Cillian Murphy’s return to the 28 Days Later franchise here >

For 28 Years Later, we’re getting Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes in key roles. Also in a huge role is the young actor Alfie Williams, who reminded me so much of Tom Holland in J.A. Bayona‘s 2012 movie The Impossible.

Finally, we have Jack O’Connell (Sinners) in a role that will surely tie into the next movie.

Watch 28 Years Later in Theaters

As mentioned several times already, Danny Boyle is back directing this third movie in the franchise. He also directed 28 Days Later, and it is wonderful to see his wild touch yet again. I especially like the wild cuts to real-life events or (for this third installment) old movies.

As the island of survivors feels like something from at least a century ago, we now see moments and scenes intersected with scenes from movies featuring knights. Screenwriter of the first movie, Alex Garland, is also back as the writer of this third movie, and I love it.

Also, there’s that haunting rendition of Rudyard Kipling’s poem “Boots”. It was in the trailer and is featured in the 28 Years Later movie in an extremely powerful way, set nearly three decades after the original movie.

THE HAUNTING “BOOTS” POEM USED IN 28 YEARS LATER

I dare you to listen to the raw and full 1915 recording of the entire poem on YouTube – click here to find it embedded below >>>

Alegedly, it’s been used to train US soldiers to prepare for the intensity of war and possible captivity. It’s easy to understand why, as it is brutally efficient. That’s the intense feeling of this movie as well. Except for that final scene, which leads to the next movie.

I wish they had saved that final scene for an end-credit scene. And no, there is no end credit scene in 28 Years Later. But throughout the end credits, it does cut brutally to quick clips from the movie you just watched.

Had they saved that final scene for the 28 Years Later end credits, it would’ve been optimal. The style confusion (for lack of a better description) threw me a bit. Other than that, I was impressed and pleased with the movie and cannot wait for the next two movies!

28 Years Later is in movie theaters worldwide from Friday, June 20, 2025.

Details

In Theaters: June 20, 2025
Director: Danny Boyle
Writers: Danny Boyle, Alex Garland
Cast: Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Alfie Williams, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell