28 Years Later (2025) - Film Review

      **28 Years Later, 2025**

      Directed by Danny Boyle.

      Starring Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams, Ralph Fiennes, Erin Kellyman, Geoffrey Newland, Gordon Alexander, Kim Allan, Joe Blakemore, Chi Lewis-Parry, Christopher Fulford, Emma Laird, Sandy Batchelor, Celi Crossland, Edvin Ryding, Ghazi Al Ruffai, Kat Kitchener, and Robert Rhodes.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      Twenty-eight years after the rage virus broke out from a biological weapons lab, some people still live under strict quarantine alongside the infected. A group exists on a small island linked to the mainland by a heavily fortified causeway. When one member sets off on a mission into the perilous mainland, he uncovers secrets, marvels, and horrors that have altered both the infected and other survivors.

      The journey into manhood has often been accompanied by diverse traditions throughout history. In Danny Boyle’s return with *28 Years Later*, co-written by Alex Garland, this rite of passage is reflected in the act of hunting, as Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Jamie takes his 12-year-old son, Spike (portrayed by newcomer Alfie Williams, who surprisingly becomes the film's emotional core), into the mainland. Their mission is not only to gather supplies for their quarantined island home but also to hunt zombies for sport, mirroring how a hyper-masculine father might assert that true strength is displayed through the killing of innocent wildlife.

      The “rage” virus afflicts the zombies in this narrative, but true to previous films (like *28 Days Later* and *28 Weeks Later*), there is a notable empathy for them. This lays the groundwork for a shocking, dark beauty, including a formidable mound of skulls. The image of a zombie (brought to life with remarkable makeup that merges their naked forms with nature) as no less magnificent than a wild animal driven by instinct adds depth to the story. Jamie's encouragement for Spike to shoot an unsuspecting, vulnerable infected during target practice creates an unsettling metaphor.

      This behavior becomes increasingly uncomfortable after returning to the community, where Jamie drunkenly boasts about Spike's prowess and savagery on the mainland, likening his child to a warlord's barbaric offspring despite their lack of a true killer instinct. It soon becomes clear that Jamie is not a loving husband; he is unfaithful to his sick wife, Isla (Jodie Comer), whom he deems a burden and insists there are no doctors able to help her with her debilitating symptoms of high fever, confusion, and memory loss.

      Demonstrations of violence for the sake of hero worship mean nothing to Spike. When discussing a strange fire on the mainland, his grandfather unwittingly reveals that a deranged doctor (Ralph Fiennes) is disposing of infected people by burning them and arranging their bodies in orderly rows. This prompts Spike to embark on a quest to find his mother and the mad doctor, believing it might lead to answers regarding her condition. In a sense, his desire to rescue his mother could be seen as the bravest and most heroic action he can take.

      Danny Boyle injects his signature style into the survival horror, with freeze-frame shots capturing critical moments, zombies equipped with iPhones for unconventional cinematography, and dynamic editing that alternates between various perspectives of the action. The film features a tense score by the lo-fi group Young Fathers, complementing the atmospheric elements beautifully. The lush landscapes of the mainland, filmed in the Holy Island, are striking, accessible only by a causeway during low tide.

      Alex Garland’s screenplay adds depth to the darkness, functioning as a coming-of-age tale about existence, mortality, and the transformations within the human body, be it from zombie infections or illnesses. While the script introduces a few excessive elements, hinting at future installments in the prospective trilogy, the story is beautifully crafted.

      In an era of oversaturation in the zombie genre (though the trend has diminished over the last ten years), it's praiseworthy that filmmakers continue to discover fresh themes. There is some doubt about the necessity of continuing this narrative, as *28 Years Later* stands alone with a rich, thrilling story. Nevertheless, the prospect of a shorter wait for a sequel—just a year or two rather than 20 years—is enticing. After 23 years, Danny Boyle and Alex Garland remain adept at creating thoughtful allegorical tales infused with horror-action.

      **Flickering Myth Rating** – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association, Critics Choice Association, and Online Film Critics Society. He also serves as the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Follow new reviews and check out my BlueSky or Letterboxd.