Few film franchises feel as reflective of their eras as the 28 Days Later franchise. The 2002 original remains one of the most influential horror films of the century, with Danny Boyle’s grainy, handheld style perfectly matching its atmosphere of isolation and dread. Its 2007 sequel, 28 Weeks Later, wasn’t directed by Boyle or written by Alex Garland, and while it had moments, it left fans with a sense that more could be done with the premise. Now, both Boyle and Garland return for 28 Years Later (2025), a film that feels both like a homecoming and a cautious step toward something bigger.
Set nearly three decades after the initial outbreak, the British Isles have become a safe quarantine zone, while mainland Europe is reserved for scavengers who can withstand its chaos. Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) is one such scavenger, determined to pass down his survival skills to his son, Spike (Alfie Williams). Their early expedition to the mainland, which leads to a brutal chase with a new “alpha” zombie, sets the tone: fast-paced, raw, and cut together in a dizzying, violent rhythm. Boyle films much of 28 Years Later on iPhones, and the effect is striking—brightly lit, unnervingly intimate, and often breathtaking.
The movie plays out in two distinct halves. The first focuses on Spike’s deadly trek with his father, and while it’s filled with tension, it often feels predictable, with key beats telegraphed before they land. The second half, however, is far more engaging. Here, Spike embarks on another journey, this time with his ailing mother Isla (Jodie Comer), whose mysterious sickness may hold answers. Their search leads them to Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), a survivor long thought mad, whose unconventional practices blur the line between savior and delirious outcast.
This stretch of the film finally delivers on the promise of something new, giving space for Comer and Fiennes to shine. Comer makes the most of limited material, a recurring issue with female characters in Garland’s scripts, while Fiennes is excellent as a blood-soaked outcast who still carries surprising tenderness. Alfie Williams, though, is the one that ties everything together. Centering a franchise reboot on a young actor could have been risky, but his performance is commanding and believable, suggesting he can carry this potential trilogy forward.
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28 Years Later doesn’t quite reach the heights of the original, and it sometimes struggles to maintain steam while setting so much up, but it’s a worthy continuation that opens the door to more compelling stories. It’s a film that leaves you wanting more rather than feeling exhausted by the premise—a promising sign for a trilogy that already has its next chapter, The Bone Temple (directed by Nia DaCosta), on the way. For now, Boyle and Garland have reminded us that this franchise still has plenty of life, even if this installment feels a bit modest.
Score: 6/10
28 Years Later (2025)
- Cast: Jodie Comer, Alfie Williams, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell
- Director: Danny Boyle
- Genre: Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller
- Runtime: 115 minutes
- Rated: R
- Release Date: June 20, 2025
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