Review – 28 Years Later (2025)

Summary
In 28 Years Later, director Danny Boyle returns to the world he helped define, not just to revisit the horror—but to deepen it. Set decades after the original outbreak, the film explores a world still scarred by the Rage Virus, where survival is no longer the only challenge.

As a new generation grows up in the shadow of a past they never lived through, whispers of resurgence begin to spread. What follows is a slow-burning descent into fear, memory, and the haunting weight of history.

With a grounded script from Alex Garland and bold stylistic choices—including moments filmed on iPhone—the film feels both intimate and apocalyptic. This is not just a continuation of a zombie saga, but a reflection on what it means to live after the end of the world.

Quick Review
The 28 series have always stood apart as one of the smartest and most visceral takes on the zombie genre — and this one raises the bar even higher. With Danny Boyle back in the director’s chair and Alex Garland penning the script, expectations were sky-high. And somehow, the film delivers more than just chaos and carnage.

From the first frame, it feels unlike any other zombie movie. It’s raw, intimate, and surprisingly human. Some sequences were even shot on an iPhone — giving it a gritty, on-the-ground immediacy that pulls you right in. But what really caught me off guard was the emotional depth: beneath the horror, there’s a story about growth, memory, and fractured families trying to hold on.

Yes, it’s terrifying. But it’s also thoughtful.
And knowing this is just the beginning of a new trilogy? I’m already counting the days until Parts 2 and 3.

The Buttered Bits

  • The infected look more terrifying than ever — raw, fast, and feral.
  • The sound design creeps under your skin without ever yelling.
  • Sparse dialogue, heavy tension. The silence hurts.
  • Visual echoes from 28 Days and Weeks — clever but not copy-paste.

Unpopped Moments

  • A few side characters barely register before disappearing.
  • Midpoint pacing dips — just briefly, but noticeably.
  • Some transitions feel clipped, like the editor ran out of breath.
  • There’s emotional weight, but not always the emotional payoff.
  • If you came for nonstop zombie thrills, you might walk away wanting more — it leans more drama than dread.

Popcorn Rating (🍿🍿🍿½)