28 Years Later is one of the most iconic horror movies. Danny Boyle and Alex Garland created something truly unique in the genre at the time. Unfortunately, they didn’t return for the sequel, 28 Weeks Later. While not as great as the first, that film is entertaining enough in its own right and it features one of the best intros in a horror movie ever. Now, 18 years after the last entry, we finally have a third installment. It took so long that it skipped 28 Months and went straight to Years. Danny Boyle returns to direct, and Alex Garland returns to write this new entry. But the question is: Does 28 Years Later live up to the long-standing hype, or was it better left in the past?
The first thing you’ll notice is the impressive cast. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes all deliver strong performances. Aaron is well-cast as an experienced hunter and a father who shows tough love to his son. Jodie convincingly portrays a mother battling illness, while also delivering some of the film’s strongest emotional moments. Ralph Fiennes has the least screen time but completely steals every scene he’s in. However, the biggest surprise is Alfie Williams, who plays the main character, Spike. I often worry about child actors, especially when they’re the lead, but that concern is completely unfounded here. Alfie is phenomenal, showing exceptional range in a demanding role.
While John Murphy doesn’t return to compose the score, Young Fathers do a commendable job of capturing a similar emotional intensity. Their use of the poem “Boots”, which featured in the trailers, is a standout moment in the film. Story-wise, the first half is thoroughly engaging. There’s an interesting exploration of the world, genuine tension, and frightening encounters with the infected. Danny Boyle’s signature style, dynamic visuals, rapid editing, surreal sequences, and bold colour use makes the film feel like a true continuation of 28 Days Later. I particularly enjoyed the father-son dynamic, with the experienced father bringing his son to the mainland to teach him survival. It plays out almost like a coming-of-age story with zombies, which I loved.
Unfortunately, the second half takes a turn, and not for the better. It loses much of the first half’s charm and becomes more of a drama. The zombies fade into the background, and the plot becomes less engaging. Boyle’s signature direction also starts to feel more generic as the film goes on. Several plot elements are introduced without proper development. For example, there’s an outside military force that seems important but ultimately leads nowhere. It’s disappointing, as this subplot could’ve provided a compelling lens on the current political climate and the world’s response to the UK’s situation. The final five minutes are especially jarring, tonally inconsistent and out of place. Honestly, I wish the film had ended five minutes earlier.
As a minor nitpick, I found the evolved zombies underwhelming. I understand the need to explain how the infected are still alive despite the first film stating they would die from starvation. However, these new zombies feel more like wild animals than the terrifying, virus-driven force from the earlier films. They’re just not as scary.
Overall, 28 Years Later has good ideas but struggles with execution. It tries to juggle too many plotlines instead of focusing deeply on one or two. It’s a shame it didn’t fully live up to the hype, but with a sequel already filmed, there’s still hope for a stronger entry to come.
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