28 Years Lateris one of the year’s most anticipated films, as it finally sees the return of directorDanny Boyleand screenwriterAlex Garlandto the franchise that was created over two decades ago with the original28 Days Later. Although the sequel28 Weeks Laterwas released to moderately positive reviews shortly after the debut of the original,28 Years Laterignores its events, as it follows the original continuity. Boyle may have plans in motion for subsequent entries in the franchise, but28 Years Laterdoes not include a mid or post-credit scene.
While none of the previous entries in the series had any bonus scenes,28 Years Lateris uniquely ambitious becauseits sequel has already been shot.The MarvelsandCandymandirectorNia DaCostahas already completed shooting the sequel28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, also written by Garland, which is set to hit theaters in January. Based on the performance of28 Years Laterat the box office, Boyle intends to make a third entry in the trilogy. Although fans of Boyle’s work have been looking forward to his return to the horror genre,28 Years Laterworks as an entry point into the franchise, and does not require viewers to have already seen28 Days Lateror28 Weeks Later.
What Is ‘28 Years Later’ About?
Set nearly three decades afterthe Rage virus first infected Europe,28 Years Lateris set within a small island that has formed its own community. The only way to enter the mainland, which has presumably been devastated by zombies, is through a causeway that will regularly become submerged by water during the natural wave cycle. Although the scavenger Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) has had to care for his sick wife, Isla (Jodie Comer), he begins to prepare his son, Spike (Alfie Williams), to join him on a mission to the mainland. While their community leads regular missions to search for what lies beyond their borders, they have a strict policy that forbids them from performing rescue missions. This may seem like a harsh mandate, but given how many other communities have been devastated by an outbreak, it is their only means of survival.
‘28 Years Later’ Is Also a Coming-of-Age Movie
Although one may expect a zombie survival film to be epic in scope,28 Years Lateris a surprisingly intimate family dramaabout the ethical decisions that must be made in order to preserve a society. Spike is initially bound by the duty of his community to venture out on an exploratory mission, but he begins to learn things about his father that shift his entire perspective. Given that Spike is only 12 years old at the beginning of the story,28 Years Laterisalso a coming-of-age filmabout a boy becoming a man. This shouldn’t be a surprise for fans of Boyle’s other work, as he has consistently been able to get great child performances in films such asMillionsandSlumdog Millionaire.
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The film came out in 2002.
28 Days Laterwas a notable film within the history of zombie cinema, as it was among the first to feature fast-moving undead creatures, which was completely different from the slower zombies that had been made iconic byGeorge Romero’s films.28 Years Laterexamines many new types of zombiesand shows how time has allowed them to create their own subcultures. Although it’s one of the year’s more creative horror films,28 Years Lateris certainly not for the squeamish,as some of the grizzly moments of goremake it the most violent entry in Boyle’s canon thus far.
Is ‘28 Years Later’ Part of a New Franchise?
Although it does not feature anything worth sticking around through the credits for,28 Years Laterends with an obvious hook that sets up a sequel, as there is a major character that does not appear until the final moments. It’s a scene that could feel quite jarring for those who had expected a standalone adventure, but it’s easy to imagine that Boyle has something more ambitious in mind for the next two entries in the series. While including a moment to tease another film may be distracting,28 Years Laterthankfully concludes its self-contained story arcbefore setting up its future.
Boyle has a mixed track record when it comes to sequels, as he famously bowed out of directing28 Weeks Laterin order to helmSunshine, an ambitious science fiction epic that was also written by Garland. Despite becoming an instant cult classic,Sunshinedid not perform well enough at the box officeto justify making the second and third installments in what Boyle had planned to be a trilogy. Although he did strike gold withT2: Trainspotting, the legacy sequel tohis beloved masterpiece,Trainspotting,that was released over two decades later. After directing the James Bond film,Skyfall, Boyle eventually dropped out of thesequel,No Time to Die,after creative differences with the producers. Perhaps that’s why he’s handing over the reins to Nia DaCosta for28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,with Garland still writing and Boyle producing. While no one in Hollywood is “owed” anything, it would be nice to see Boyle return for the final film in this new trilogy and round out this epic franchise he has built.
28 Years Later
