28 Years Later (2025)
28 Years Later is deeply weird—in the best way possible. While it’s still a zombie movie at its core, it also doubles as a surrealist meditation on death, managing to hit hard emotionally. Danny Boyle sheds some of the tension and horror that defined earlier entries in the franchise, and in doing so, creates something new. 28 Years Later is more thoughtful and, arguably, more effective than any nostalgic retread would have been.
Movie Details
Title: 28 Years Later
Director/Writer: Dann Boyle
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Alfie Williams
Genre: Horror
Runtime: 1hr 55min
Rating: R
Review (Spoiler-Free):
28 Days Later redefined the zombie genre when it released in 2002. It didn’t just give us running zombies that infected others in seconds—it delivered raw emotional stakes that centered on the characters. 28 Years Later picks up that emotional torch and carries it way the hell out into the territory of the unexpected. If you’re looking for a simple, formulaic zombie film, look elsewhere, because Danny Boyle had other plans.
In 28 Years Later, the rage virus has been ravaging the UK for—well—28 years. The country is under strict quarantine from the rest of the world. Military ships patrol the waters surrounding the UK making sure no one gets in or out. As one character bluntly puts it: “If you put a toe on this island, you’re not coming back.”
We follow Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his son Spike (Alfie Williams), survivors who’ve adapted to life in this long-running apocalypse. They live on an island accessible to the mainland only at low tide. It’s guarded. It’s regimented. It’s a society rebuilt around survival.
The film really begins with one of these sanctioned trips to the mainland. Boyle does a fantastic job of showing us what life is like in this post-apocalyptic society without dwelling on it for too long. Less than fifteen minutes into the film, the characters are on the mainland, running from infected, and the audience feels the familiar fear that fast running, mostly nude, insane-looking zombies cause.
But this isn’t a movie about chase scenes—it has them, don’t worry, but it’s actually about loss. The true heart of 28 Years Later is Spike and his evolving understanding of death in a world shaped by it. Yes, there are moments of brutal violence and chaotic action, but between those are long, quiet stretches where the characters breathe, grieve, and grow. Alfie Williams gives a phenomenal performance—one of the best I’ve seen from a young actor in years. He anchors the film with a quiet intensity that’s rare for someone his age.
That said, the film isn’t without its flaws. The characters occasionally fall into the frustrating trope of “doing something dumb to advance the plot,” and their actions don’t always feel believable. I believe a twelve-year-old would have questionable motivations, but I don’t believe the adults in the world—who are painted as extra careful—would allow it to happen. It’s a minor complaint in the grand scheme of things, but I would have liked to see a little more groundwork for Spike’s journey.
My bigger gripe is with the ending. I walked into this knowing 28 Years Later is the first part of a new trilogy—because everything’s a trilogy now. And while I’m genuinely excited to see where this story goes, I dislike cliffhangers. The film had a natural stopping point, but instead it pushed five minutes past it in an effort to tease the second film (releasing in January 2026). 28 Years could have stood on its own, but instead, it fell into the trap of setting up a franchise. A little symmetry would’ve been sacrificed by ending earlier, but I’d have preferred that to what we got.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed 28 Years Later. It didn’t wreck me as hard as the first film—and I’m thankful to Boyle for giving me that—but it had a cerebral quality the other films only scratched the surface of. It’s not a typical zombie film, and those expecting a straight sequel with similar plot to the first two films will be disappointed. However, I think what we got is far more interesting than another “This place is safe, uh oh, it’s not” plot line.
I will absolutely be watching this movie again when it comes to streaming. Also, the cinematography is stunning. If you’re able, watch this on the biggest screen possible. It deserves it.
Come for the zombies, stay for the head trip about remembering how we’re all going to die someday
Have you seen 28 Years Later? What did you think? Let me know in the comments. Also, pre-order my new Sci-Fi novel, coming out through Artemesia Publishing on 9/23/25!
Ashton Macaulay 
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