Director: Danny Boyle
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes
‘A Captivating Thriller’
When it comes to the greatest movies made about individuals that survive disasters, it’s worth discussing 28 Days Later. Released in 2002, Danny Boyle’s movie earned recognition for capturing hardships zombie survivors go through. On the personal level, I find themes of survival in the movie to be relatable. I recall with nostalgia memories of a harrowing time when my family endured bombing causing trauma in Saudi Arabia. Truth be told, I was only eight years old when loud bombs hit my household. I felt a profound feeling of fear when loud bombs struck my compound. To avoid terrorists which were violent, my parents told me to stay silent. As my house became engulfed in flame, I came to the sudden realization that my life would never be the same. Through a sheer miracle, my family survived the worst disaster in the world imaginable. My family’s strong drive to survive allowed me to make it out of a bombing without scratches to the skin alive. I felt relieved that my family had achieved tasks of surviving a disaster that had to be seen to be believed. However, the painful aftermath of the bombings stayed with me forever. After watching my house burn to the ground, I found it hard to turn my life around. As I had vivid nightmares, loud sounds of bombs would ring in my ears for several years. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t recover from bombings leaving me terrified. Years later, I treasure a commemorated franchise about zombies that reminds me of bomb disaster.
As someone haunted by a bomb disaster, I adored “28 Years Later”. Released in 2025, Danny Boyle’s movie honoured zombies. Packed with breathtaking action, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best movies of the year. At the centre of it all is Alfie Williams, who embodies a courageous teenage survivor of a zombie invasion. Although “28 Years Later” is a breathtaking blockbuster, it isn’t flawless. It builds an ambiguous conclusion. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment that will satisfy fans of the zombie franchise.
“28 Years Later” follows a close-knit family seeking to survive in a world where zombies cause disaster. Alfie Williams portrays Spike, a teenager living in a world where zombies evoke terror. Spike has always shared powerful bonds with his father Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) who he loves dearly. However, Spike’s life forever changes when his family becomes victims of a life-threatening zombie disaster. As he faces catastrophic zombies over several years, Spike questions whether it’s truly possible to overcome his lifelong fears.
Danny Boyle is fascinated with zombie invasions causing adversity. A fantastic filmmaker, Boyle has often made engaging movies about zombies putting lives in grave danger. With “28 Years Later”, however, Boyle created his first zombie survival thriller. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of individuals surviving zombie catastrophe but he succeeded tremendously. Using captivating cinematography, Boyle captures a zombie invasion causing catastrophe. Evoking “28 Days Later”, Boyle uses handheld camerawork to capture zombies causing disaster. For instance, the handheld camera elevates the zombie attack scene. During this unforgettable scene, Spike and his father are chased by zombies in a frightening invasion causing catastrophe. It brought back harrowing memories of a frightening bomb blast that shaped my identity. Handheld camera is a complicated technique. As Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” suggested”, handheld camera elevates time travel blockbusters. Nevertheless, it works in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Boyle captures zombie invasions that are frightening.
Another admirable aspect of “28 Years Later” that merits appreciation is production. Inspired by Jonathan Levine’s “Warm Bodies”, Boyle effectively uses sound-design to capture zombies in a world facing a decline. Whether it’s deafening noises of bombs exploding or zombies howling, Boyle effectively uses diegetic sounds to capture an invasion that’s frightening. For instance, sound-design elevates the pregnancy scene. During this haunting scene, Spike and his mother witness the loud noises of a zombie giving birth to a child that’s frightening. Through spectacular sound-design, Boyle captures zombies causing families to decline. It reminded me of my traumatic experience witnessing terrorist attacks in which bombs exploded leaving my family emotionally devastated. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Young Fathers’ music contributes to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing zombies demonstrating fear. Through gorgeous production, Boyle captures a memorable zombie invasion.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “28 Years Later” is a zombie movie that’s captivating. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the bonds between a family surviving zombie violence. One of the criticisms often levelled against the zombie franchise is lack of character development. Movies in the franchise have often focused on spectacle leaving little room for character development. Thankfully, though, “28 Years Later” is an exception. Evoking John Krasinki’s “A Quiet Place”, Boyle effectively uses silence to capture hardships faced by a family surviving in a quiet place. For instance, silence enhances the terminal illness scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Spike learns the upsetting news that his mother suffers from Cancer that’s life-threatening. Through sequences of silence, Boyle created a portrait of survival audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu” suggested, silence enhances commemorated vampire movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Boyle captures individuals surviving zombie invasions cast away.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Alfie Williams delivers a star-making performance as Spike. In his first ever major leading role, Williams transforms into a troubled teenager that faces zombie invasions causing an emotional toll. It isn’t easy to portray a teenager seeking to protect his family from zombies causing catastrophe, but Williams succeeds tremendously. Evoking Danny Lloyd in “The Shining”, Williams portrays a strong teenager seeking to survive a world that’s terrifying. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, fear and resilience of a teenager seeking to survive zombie invasions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest child actors today.
While the film is mainly a stunning showcase for Alfie Williams, the supporting cast is also outstanding and worthy of appreciation. Aaron Taylor-Johnson is amazing, capturing the determination of a father seeking to protect his family from a frightening zombie invasion. Jodie Comer is captivating, bringing a sense of terror to a mentally ill mother struggling to survive zombie disaster. Lastly, Ralph Fiennes merits appreciation. As a mentor, he brings wisdom to the movie.
Despite its extraordinary performances, however, “28 Years Later” can’t quite honour a franchise about zombies that cause disaster. If there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks a compelling ending. Boyle’s decision to end the movie on an ambiguous note is bold but doesn’t entirely succeed. It’s an ambiguous conclusion that fails to bring the movie towards a satisfying resolution. At worst, it seems intended merely to set up future films in the commemorated franchise. Whereas this ambiguous ending elevated Robert Zemeckis’ “Cast Away”, it clashes with the realistic tone of this movie. Zombie movies thrive based on their memorable conclusions, and in this regard “28 Years Later” falls short of expectations.
Nevertheless, fans of the zombie genre will definitely enjoy “28 Years Later” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A mesmerizing thriller, it honours a franchise about zombies causing disaster.
A powerful portrait of a family seeking to survive frightening zombies that are painful, it’s a phenomenal reminder of a successful franchise that has forever changed the perceptions of zombies through exploring powerful themes of survival.
As strong as Isla’s desire to survive zombies over 28 years, it has motivated me to move on several years after I miraculously survived a bombing causing frightening nightmares that left deafening noises ringing in my ears leaving my family in tears by treasuring a commemorated franchise that motivated me to overcome fears.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 