“28 Years Later”: The Undead Just Won’t Die

The Return of a Cult Classic

More than two decades after the release of the groundbreaking “28 Days Later,” director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland are reigniting the franchise with “28 Years Later”. The British filmmaking duo, known for their visceral approach to storytelling, return to the bleak world of post-apocalyptic Britain—this time with a twist. The central figure in the new instalment isn’t a hardened survivor or military hero, but a twelve-year-old boy.

Zombie Evolution: From Rage to Intelligence

The undead have not remained static. In the new film, the creatures have evolved far beyond the frenzied infected of the original. Audiences will meet two terrifying new strains: the “Slow-Lows,” grotesque, bloated creatures resembling waterlogged corpses that crawl hungrily across the ground; and the “Alphas,” towering, muscle-bound predators exhibiting a frightening mix of brute strength and strategic intelligence—likened to “Jason Momoa on steroids.” These new classes add a chilling dimension to the mythology, showcasing the continued evolution of the virus and its victims.

A Genre Reimagined—Again

The original 2002 film gave the zombie genre a much-needed jolt, introducing the rage-fuelled infected who sprinted rather than staggered. Long before Zack Snyder’s “Dawn of the Dead” remake, “28 Days Later” shocked audiences with its raw intensity and bleak atmosphere. What started as a low-budget experiment quickly became a defining work of modern horror, with Cillian Murphy’s desperate dash through desolate London becoming iconic.

With “28 Years Later”, Boyle and Garland are once again pushing the boundaries of the genre. Their desire to revisit this world stems not from nostalgia, but from a creative urge to explore what happens when civilisation truly collapses—and what sort of monsters we become in the aftermath.

Britain in Isolation: A Quarantine Nation

In this sequel, Britain remains sealed off from the world. Unlike “28 Weeks Later”, which hinted at the infection spreading across Europe, the new film confines the horror to the British Isles. The story follows young Spike (played by Alfie Williams), who lives with his father (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and terminally ill mother (Jodie Comer) on a remote island off Scotland’s coast. The island is accessible only at low tide via a narrow causeway, reinforcing its isolation.

Their settlement is primitive but peaceful, a kind of forgotten enclave untouched by time—until, of course, the horror inevitably finds its way back.

In Cinemas This Week: A Diverse Line-up

Beyond the undead uprising, this week’s cinema releases cater to a wide range of tastes. Whether you’re after heart-pounding horror or heartfelt storytelling, there’s something for everyone hitting the big screen.

This Week’s New Film Releases:

From bold reimaginings of classic tales to innovative genre crossovers, UK cinema audiences are in for a thrilling ride this week.