28 Years Later (2025) marks the much-anticipated return of director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland to the universe they first introduced in 28 Days Later. Set nearly three decades after the initial outbreak of the Rage virus, the film explores a world where survivors have adapted to a new, perilous normal.
The narrative centers on a group of survivors residing on a secluded island, connected to the mainland by a heavily fortified causeway. When one member ventures into the mainland, he uncovers a transformed landscape teeming with mutated infected and unsettling secrets about humanity’s resilience and descent.
The film boasts a stellar cast, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes. Taylor-Johnson portrays Jamie, a father striving to protect his son, Spike (Alfie Williams), amidst the chaos. Fiennes takes on the role of Dr. Kelson, a character whose intentions and morality are shrouded in ambiguity.
Boyle and Garland infuse the film with elements of British folk horror, diverging from the urban decay of previous installments. The cinematography captures hauntingly beautiful landscapes juxtaposed with grotesque imagery, such as towering columns of human skulls, enhancing the film’s eerie atmosphere.
The trailer’s use of a 1915 recording of Rudyard Kipling’s poem “Boots,” recited by Taylor Holmes, sets a chilling tone. This unconventional choice underscores the film’s departure from traditional horror tropes, aiming for a more profound psychological impact.
While full reviews are pending, early reactions highlight the film’s ambitious storytelling and atmospheric depth. 28 Years Later is the first in a planned trilogy, with the sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, slated for release on January 16, 2026. Director Nia DaCosta is set to helm the second installment, promising a continuation of the saga’s exploration of humanity’s struggle amidst the infected world.
28 Years Later revitalizes the franchise by blending intense action with psychological horror, set against a backdrop of a world irrevocably changed. Its exploration of survival, morality, and the human condition positions it as a compelling addition to the series, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers alike.