28 Years Later

28 Years Later, a group of survivors of the rage virus live on a small island. When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors.

Introduction

28 Years Later was one of the long delayed sequels I’ve been waiting for. Years before it was even announced, I’ve been wondering when they’d release a sequel to the “28 franchise”. The first two films: 28 Days Later was released in 2002, and 28 Weeks Later in 2007, after almost 2 decades, with all the long delayed sequels coming out, 28 franchise decided to make a move. Honestly though, I wish they didn’t.

“It’s been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped from a biological weapons laboratory. Still living in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amid the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily defended causeway. When one of them decides to venture into the dark heart of the mainland, he soon discovers a mutation that has spread to not only the infected, but other survivors as well.”

Characters

I haven’t really been much of a fan of Aaron Taylor-Johnson and still not now after watching this. There’s just something about all of his performance that doesn’t feel authetic. It felt too rehearsed to perfection, you know what I mean? Its hard to feel for his character.

Ralph Fiennes (as Dr. Ian Kelson) was probably the most memorable, not just because of his reddish-orange iodine covered body looks, but because his performance was impeccable. You could see the wonder in his eyes whenever he talks about the undead, and also how he (sort of) worships the skull tower that he had built. His voice cracks ever so slightly giving it more depth and you’ll eventually sink in with what he’s saying.

Raging Music

The music evolved 28 Years Later (get it?) and in a good way. It gave more life to the tone of the scene—more depth to the situation at hand. No scene felt off because of stup!d music direction, everything was on point.

Too Hollywood for my Taste

Most of the movie was okay, but I just can’t swallow those slow motion angle shots of when they shoot arrows. It was so unnecessary and just ruined the whole scene.

Gone are the Days and Weeks

The first 2 installments are what made fans want more of this franchise. The fast-paced, gritty, fight or flight feel of whenever they faced an undead was gone. 28 Years Later feels more like a political affair, rather than a fight for survival—much like the later seasons of The Walking Dead.

What I Didn’t Like

• It was too Hollywood. Many of the shots were okay, but some of it felt too much and it veers away from the tense atmosphere. Sometime it feels like a very short pause/commercial and it k1lls the mood.
• Intro and first part was good, the middle part was prolonged too much, the last part and the ending was trash.
• Some of it just logically didn’t make any sense.

Final Thoughts

28 Years Later was a long awaited sequel most fans of the franchise have waited for, but as most sequels that are being released recently, this one felt unnecessary. Its supposed to be a “reset” of the franchise and a start of a new trilogy, so let’s see. So far, Bring Her Back and Weapons are my top 2 pick for horror in 2025.