Is 28 Years Later the Best Zombie Film of the Year?

The Return of the Zombie ApocalypsRevisiting a Classic

Back in 2002, Danny Boyle and Alex Garland stunned audiences with their British horror masterpiece 28 Days Later. Cillian Murphy’s character, Jim, woke from a coma to discover a deserted London, filled only with the haunting presence of fast-moving zombies and the rare chance encounter with fellow survivors.

This cult classic led to a less-celebrated sequel, 28 Weeks Later, which missed the magic of the original due to the absence of its creator duo. Now, after much anticipation, Boyle and Garland are back with 28 Years Later, the first installment in a highly anticipated trilogy.

A New Chapter in a Familiar World

Set in 2030, nearly three decades after the devastating Rage virus outbreak, the action shifts from the familiar streets of London to the picturesque Holy Island, also known as Lindisfarne, off the Northumberland Coast. Within a small tribal village of Geordies, Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Jamie navigates life with his ailing wife, Isla, and their twelve-year-old son, Spike—who has never left the secluded island.

The film takes a thrilling turn when Jamie embarks on a scavenger hunt for his son’s first kill, armed only with bows and arrows. They’re confronted by a range of infected, alongside a host of bizarre survivors. Filmed primarily using iPhone 15 Pro Max cameras, the gritty visuals evoke the raw authenticity reminiscent of the original film’s unique digital standard definition.

This installment is not just another zombie flick; it is, in fact, the best film of the year so far. True to the genre, 28 Years Later delivers the intense, bloody visuals fans have come to expect, featuring a chilling array of infected—from grotesque, bloated forest crawlers to muscular ‘alphas’ rushing with oversized prosthetics. Yet, amidst the heart-stopping action, the humanity that Garland so expertly weaves into the narrative is what sets this film apart, especially in contrast to its predecessor, 28 Weeks Later.

The film poignantly explores the relationship between father and son against the bleak backdrop of a world turned upside down. Through artful storytelling filled with British imagery—from arrows shot by medieval troops to the whimsical yet unsettling cult characters dressed à la Jimmy Savile—the film retains its cultural roots. While Jack O’Connell’s character, Sir Jimmy Crystal, won’t be fully explored until the next film, titled The Bone Temple, which releases in January alongside Cillian Murphy reprising his iconic role, the anticipation only heightens interest.

The cast truly shines in this effort. Alfie Williams delivers a remarkable performance as Spike, embodying the harsh realities of growing up in a perilous world. Taylor-Johnson and Jodie Comer navigate the complexities of family turmoil beautifully, ensuring that viewers feel the gravity of their struggles. Ralph Fiennes adds a layer of eccentricity as an iodine-covered doctor collecting the bones of the deceased, reminding us all of our mortality.

The combined skill of the actors, Boyle’s endless finesse in direction, Garland’s exquisite script, and Anthony Dod Mantle’s stunning cinematography creates a whirlwind experience that is both exhilarating and deeply emotional. There are laugh-out-loud moments interspersed with heart-wrenching scenes that leave viewers feeling a mix of terror and empathy. Following this entry, which promises to eclipse its 2002 predecessor, anticipation for the remaining chapters in this gripping trilogy is at an all-time high.

28 Years Later is set to hit UK cinemas this Thursday.