It’s been over two decades since 28 Days Later first redefined the zombie genre, and now the infected are back in a long-awaited sequel. Directed by Danny Boyle and penned by Alex Garland, the team behind the original, 28 Years Later promises to bring the same raw intensity to a new generation of audiences. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes, this latest installment picks up where its predecessors left off, delving deeply once again inside the world ravaged by relentless epidemic.
A New Nightmare Begins. Set an astonishing 10,228 days after the outbreak began, the world of 28 Years Later is anything but healed. Civilization as we know it has crumbled, forcing survivors to abandon cities for rural communities, where they cling to life in isolation. The film follows a young boy on his desperate mission to save his gravely ill mother. Armed with bow and arrows, he must cross infected territory to reach a doctor who might hold the key to her survival. Alongside him is Aaron Taylor-Johnson, whose character shares the boy’s resourcefulness and determination. Their path crosses with Jodie Comer, her infant child, and Ralph Fiennes on what promises to be both emotionally charged and action-packed.
Please don’t think the infected are the only threats lurking. The trailer tantalizingly hints at various dangers, from soldiers to hostile survivors—and perhaps something entirely new. A haunting shot of a giant altar made of skulls hints at dark, sinister evolvement within this post-apocalyptic arena.
A Familiar Face Returns. Perhaps the most jaw-dropping moment of the trailer is the apparent return of Cillian Murphy, who starred as Jim in the original 28 Days Later. Speculation about his role has swirled since May 2024 when Sony executive Tom Rothman confirmed Murphy’s involvement, teasing: "He’s back, but in a surprising way." If the trailer is any indication, Jim may now be one of the infected—a shocking twist marking poignant and chilling reunion with the character.
Murphy was also spotted on the set of the filmed sequel, 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple, indicating his role may expand even more.
A Franchise with Bite. The 28 franchise has long been considered outstanding within the zombie genre. The original, made on a modest $8 million budget, became even more of sleeper hit, grossing nearly $85 million at the box office and receiving praise for its gritty realism and innovative use of DV cameras. Comparatively, Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead remake had significantly larger financial backing yet only slightly outperformed it at the box office. The 2007 sequel, 28 Weeks Later, didn't fare as well, pulling in $65 million on its $15 million budget. Nevertheless, it left fans with tantalizing cliffhanger: infected swarming Paris and hinting at global consequences.
Now, with budget of $75 million, 28 Years Later is soaring to unprecedented heights. Intriguingly, Boyle and Garland shot much of the film using iPhones, presenting captivating choice adds raw, intimate edge to the harrowing events.
What’s Next for the Ailing? Fans won’t have to wait long for the next installment. While 28 Years Later is slated to terrorize theaters on June 18, 2025, the follow-up has already filmed 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple and is anticipated shortly after. With its spine-tingling trailer and promise of expanded storyline, 28 Years Later is primed to reignite the franchise legacy. For those brave enough to revisit the infected world, the countdown begins.
The first trailer for 28 Years Later sparked excitement for this long-awaited sequel to 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, set to burst onto screens during summer 2025. There’s already been buzz among fans since the trailer includes several shocking reveals which illuminate major changes for franchise moving forward. Since this movie aims to kick off trilogy, 28 Years Later is destined to offer twisting narratives stretching across these new films.
28 Days Later first gained audience intrigue upon its 2002 release for its biting commentary, great performances, and noteworthy not-quite-a-zombie infection haunting modern London. Using similar themes, 28 Weeks Later continues grounded tone and realistic undertones thanks new characters.
But it seems the new 28 Years Later trailer features no main characters from its predecessors, showcasing shifts within tone toward newfound essence.
The Bone Temple twists narratives toward cult-based societies, drastically altering essence of franchise. The haunted temple made of bones indicates drastic evolvement away from the realistic, grounded horror presented previously.
Over 28 years, society’s fabric became threadbare, and it’s clear help is no longer on the horizon. This aberration signifies pervasive shift from above, raising compelling questions surrounding humanity’s inherent nature.
A curious evolution among infected individuals is also displayed, reminiscent yet transformed. The trailer indicates much worse threats await; early views show infected scaling the heights of monstrous proportions. During sequences, Taylor-Johnson seems pursued by these larger-than-life fiends, signaling discontent dabbling between speculative ideas and transcendent horror theatrics.
Although eerie familiarity clings to infected from the first two films, it’s fair to state horror’s portrayal has shifted, embracing increasingly perilous storylines, evoking fear on multiple levels. No longer mere humans bewitched by UV rays, the infected stand transformed to something greater—their physical forms conjuring fresh terrors awaiting discovery.