28 Years Later Review

3 weeks ago 12

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Some nightmares grow more frightening with time. In 28 Years Later, the latest terrifying chapter in the iconic zombie franchise, audiences are plunged back into a desolate world where the infected have evolved, and the fight for survival is more brutal than ever. With Danny Boyle back in the director’s chair alongside writer Alex Garland, this film recaptures the raw intensity that made the original 28 Days Later so impactful, yet injects some much-needed emotional depth. This instalment zeroes in on the bonds of family amidst unimaginable horror, delivering a relentless experience. Viewers’ hearts will be hammering against their ribs from start to finish.

Almost three decades since the rage virus swept the nation, the infected refuse to die, but so does humanity. When a survivor leaves the safety of his group, he discovers how the infected have mutated and the horrors that truly plague Britain.

28 Weeks Later, absent of the original creatives behind the first film, didn’t have the same intention and soul, while 28 Years Later refocuses the lens to capture the bonds between family. Alfie Williams leads this cast with learned strength and vulnerability in his first role, while Aaron Taylor-Johnson provides a compelling contrast as a seasoned survivor. They are backed by Jodie Comer, who delivers a nuanced performance and is a standout in the cast. Ralph Fiennes joins them in a role he inhabits effortlessly, portraying the character’s savage beliefs in a terrifyingly understandable way.

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This journey all started on digital video cameras, and the legacy is continued for this film as cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle opts for the use of iPhones on a multi-camera rig. It would be wrong for the film to tailor itself to looking pristine, as it wouldn’t be capturing the essence of what 28 Years Later is. The format lends itself to the grimy and fast-paced nature of the film and adds to the anxiety and pressure that is felt by the characters. This thriller leaves little to the imagination when it comes to gore, setting the hearts of audiences racing with several of its tense sequences. It delivers many moments of rip-roaring violence, but the juxtaposition of the quieter moments isolates them further for what they are: brutal depictions of a world utterly consumed by primal fear and unforgiving survival.

The sound design assaults the senses, punctuated by moments of eerie silence that are almost more frightening than the chaos. It all contributes to an immersive, suffocating atmosphere that traps viewers within the film’s grim reality and is a masterclass in building tension through an auditory landscape that perfectly mirrors the unfolding nightmare. Its use of the 1915 spoken-word recording of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Boots’ by Taylor Holmes is nothing short of sinister.

Many of the film’s issues lie in the screenplay. Though an occasional spoon-fed explanation doesn’t harm audiences, delivering high-octane exposition at every turn can get a little wearing. It also shifts around tonally more than one would enjoy, which leads to a disjointed narrative. With the sequel (or fourth film) having also wrapped filming, it can be assumed audiences are in safe hands with Garland, who has also written the script for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which is slated for 2026.

28 Years Later isn’t just a return to form for a beloved horror franchise; it’s an unflinching examination of humanity’s enduring spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. Boyle and Garland have crafted a film that is as emotionally resonant as it is viscerally terrifying. With exceptional performances from its lead cast, a gritty aesthetic that enhances the tension, and a sound design that burrows under your skin, this film solidifies its place as a worthy successor.