The highly anticipated sequel 28 Years Later, directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, has been praised for boldly redefining the zombie genre once again. Starring Alfie Williams, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes, the film continues the story nearly three decades after the original 28 Days Later.
Critics agree that Boyle and Garland “went for it” — delivering a tense, emotionally charged post-apocalyptic drama that blends horror with profound reflections on life, death, and humanity’s resilience. IndieWire highlights the film’s thematic depth, noting it explores how denial of death corrupts life’s integrity.
Vanity Fair’s Richard Lawson points out the film’s mix of “frenzied camerawork” and eerie stillness, creating some of the most haunting imagery seen in the franchise. The story follows 12-year-old Spike (Williams) living with his family on a quarantined island, safe from the infected roaming the UK mainland. The performances, particularly Comer’s transformative role and Fiennes’ portrayal of the enigmatic Dr. Kerson, have been widely acclaimed.
Technically, Boyle embraces modern filmmaking tools, notably shooting much of the film on iPhones, maintaining a gritty, immersive aesthetic while improving visual clarity. Variety praises this update, emphasizing the flexibility and dynamic camera work it enabled.
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Currently boasting a 95% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and strong reviews on Metacritic, 28 Years Later is positioned as both a thrilling horror film and a mature exploration of chaos and survival.
The film opens in theaters this Friday.
