Running Time: 115 minutes
This feature from Sony Pictures Releasing will be released exclusively at theaters on June 20th, 2025.
More than two decades ago, the horror film 28 Days Later made a huge impact with audiences and critics. This reinvention of the zombie picture featured a virus known as Rage. Seconds after coming into contact with the blood or saliva of infected attackers, it turned ordinary British citizens into inhuman maniacs. The movie treated the condition as a deadly pathogen, presenting the fantastical monsters in a relatable way, and helping to revitalize the entire subgenre. An effective sequel followed, with the military trying to control the spread. Among many other issues, it showed the ugly consequences of breaking quarantine and reinfecting the population.
The Rage virus has been contained exclusively to the United Kingdom and Ireland and the entire area has been quarantined as 28 Years Later begins. For safety, no individuals, including any healthy survivors, are permitted to leave and the infected still roam the land (although a few are a little worse for wear). Spike (Alfie Williams) is a 12-year-old boy born after the outbreak. He lives on an island village community separated from the mainland by a causeway only usable during low tide. The kid and his father Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) spend much of their time caring for sickly mother Isla (Jodie Comer). When the dad decides to take his son to the mainland for the first time and forage for supplies, the two unexpectedly encounter stronger and seemingly more evolved Rage-infected attackers. Spike struggles with these new terrors, while also sharing concern for his deteriorating mom.
One of the things that is greatly enjoyable about the first two pictures is that they present fascinating snapshots of the concerns and issues related to specific time periods following a monstrous outbreak. And, to a degree, that is the case here, with the isolated village and its citizens living without modern technology or medicine, with their encampment looking like something from another era.
But curiously enough, at its core, this is a coming-of-age tale about a boy dealing with the trials of oncoming adulthood. He’s frightened of the world around him (for good reason), while also feeling anger towards his father, leading to an act of rebellion. The concept of loss is eventually brought to the forefront late in the story.
The performers are all excellent, with the young lad in the lead effectively communicating his insecurities about handling the infected and the potential of a grim end for himself and others in the family. And when it arises, the film finds an unusual but effective way for the protagonist to deal with mortality and pay one’s respects to the dead. The tone is heavy, there at least are a few moments of levity when the main character makes some unexpected connections.
As with other titles in the series, there are memorable attack sequences. This film features chilling images of Rage-infected children, and a trio of purply, crawling pursuers slowly making their way towards the leads. Additionally, the seemingly unstoppable figure dubbed the Alpha (Chi Lewis-Parry) creates tension as he relentlessly pursues the leads. A rapid chase across the causeway as the tide is shrinking makes an impression. The camerawork is also quite original at times, with shots jerking around during battles, the shots slowing down as implements are used, and then returning to normal speed (created using a rig comprised of multiple digital cameras).
The only problem arises when characters introduced earlier start to take a back seat and disappear from the story. Several questions are raised but never answered, and the viewer slowly realizes that all the plotlines can’t be wrapped up in a satisfactory manner. Indeed, a few important threads are intentionally left dangling. So much so that this reviewer felt compelled to research the production up and, in the process, discovered that another follow-up is in production and slated for release in January. So, while it may all eventually come together in an efficient and dynamic manner, on its own the ending leaves something to be desired.
28 Years Later is a solid sequel and one that delivers chills, while addressing relatable family drama amongst all the horror. The only thing it doesn’t possess is a satisfying finale. This is clearly by design and, if one expects this going in, they may not take issue with its abrupt close. For now, it will be given the benefit of the doubt, but one hopes that this tale can be wrapped up in a satisfactory, cohesive manner before viewers experience rage-induced frustration.