28 Years Later Review: A Zombie Sequel with One of the Best Trailers of the Year

Copyright © Sony Pictures, Columbia Pictures, DNA Films, Decibel Films



Title: 28 Years Later
Director: Danny Boyle

Release Date: June 20, 2025



    Somehow, this film managed to pull others in to watch it, especially because of the iconic trailers that it gave out. Additionally, June and July are about to become the craziest months for movies, such as ElioMEGAN 2.0, Superman, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. That includes 28 Years Later, the latest entry in the 28 Days Later franchise! Against a budget of $60 million total, the movie has gotten a successful debut of $14 million gross total. It has gotten positive reviews from critics and audiences for the depth, execution, and acting performances, making the sequel expand everything from the previous two films. Its sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, will release in January the following year in the back-to-back epic style. The newest installment, 28 Years Later, is an impressive part 3 that keeps its franchise moving up and down again.


Summary

   "It's been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped from a biological weapons laboratory. Still living in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amid the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily defended causeway. When one of them decides to venture into the dark heart of the mainland, he soon discovers a mutation that has spread to not only the infected, but other survivors as well." - Google


Reasons

    The best to find in 28 Years Later are the rich story, tense jumpscares and deaths, and detailed execution. This time, it reinvents the franchise to eerily fit in the modern filmscape. Its previous two entries, 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, are respectively just scary and emotional, so this one combines the two tones in a single trilogy part. Opting out of the adult point of view, this film is told from a child's point of view, which more horror films need to do because it makes these kinds of films more sympathetic in a way. To talk about the scary, the jumpscares and deaths are better than ever. Unlike the previous movies, they are told in the most artistic ways for a chilling experience. The red surreal imagery was a unique idea to foreshadow what's going to come next in the story. A lot of them also have poignant beats when they're needed. Then, thanks to Danny Boyle returning as the director, the execution made this film click so well. It uses random things, mostly Teletubbies in the opening, that can be made into anything scary when the Infected or the mutations come into play. Significantly, as taken from the trailers, the most iconic part was the use of the "Boots" poem by Rudyard Kipling to symbolize the humans going to kill the Infected in the mainland.
    More to find from 28 Years Later are the sympathetic characters, numerous lore expansions, and magnificent setups. All of the characters are so well done to the point where anyone can see what's going on and what they should do. The young protagonist, Spike (Alfie Williams), has an interesting arc where he learns how to survive against the Infected. Several other examples, like Isla (Jodie Corner) and Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), are what make the film's emotional core well-written. As a way to discuss the Infected, the lore expansions took the mythology to the next level. Other than just Infected, it introduces new types of zombies, like Alphas, to hint at the virus mutation. It also has world expansions, like the Bone Temple and Sir Jimmy Crystal's introduction, that make the movie more fun. Finally, the setups are utterly amazing. One example is that i
nstead of normal cameras, iPhone cameras with natural lighting are used for a real look. Because the previous two films took place in Britain, it now takes place in Scotland for a change, and it's nice to see it use real locations from that country.



Conclusion

    To wrap up our June, 28 Years Later is the eerie sequel that truly makes its franchise move up and down again. This is one that will make you not want to sleep tonight. Its heartwrenching story mixed with the jumpscares and camera shots is a blend that horror fans didn't know they needed. Don't forget, it expanded on the universe's lore, like adding new types of zombies and new locations, to make the film more interesting for fans alike. Sony Pictures is cooking in the horror genre, and we love it. Please, go get a treat with this one if you can.


    Score: 10/10 (boots, boots, boots, moving up and down again!)



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