28 Years Later writer's 'forgotten' film with Cillian Murphy hailed 'best of all time'

Edinburgh Live

03-07-2025

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Fans of the horror genre are descending upon cinemas for the highly anticipated premiere of 28 Years Later, the long-awaited sequel to the influential zombie film 28 Days Later. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Danny Boyle and written by accomplished screenwriter Alex Garland, the movie picks up nearly three decades after the events of the original 2002 film.
The first instalment introduced audiences to a then-relatively unknown Cillian Murphy and the terrifying 'rage' virus, which redefined the zombie genre with its fast-paced, adrenaline-fuelled portrayal of the undead.
The original film received widespread critical acclaim for its groundbreaking depiction of zombies, departing from the traditional slow-moving creatures often seen in horror movies. Now, the franchise is back with a vengeance.
The latest instalment's synopsis teases: "It's been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, and now, still in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst 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 the group leaves the island on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well", reports Surrey Live.
(Image: Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Interestingly, before collaborating on 28 Years Later, Alex worked with director Danny on another film that has largely flown under the radar. Starring Cillian Murphy, many hail the 2007 movie 'Sunshine' as "the best sci-fi film of all time".
Set in the year 2057, it tells the tale of a team sent to the stars tasked with rekindling our dimming sun, thus saving humanity from the brink.
Their odyssey takes an intricate turn upon discovering an erstwhile spacecraft that had embarked on an identical quest. Including notables like Cillian, Rose Byrne, Michelle Yeoh, Chris Evans, and Benedict Wong, 'Sunshine' is up for viewing on Disney+.
A fan exclaimed: "Sunshine is the most underrated movie of all time. No exaggeration. For me personally it is my favourite movie. I discovered this movie in 2020 and since I have seen it about 16 times."
Another fan said: "Watched this for the first time and I already know I will watch it again, and make others watch it as well. Sunshine is a genuinely enjoyable, engaging, and interesting sci-fi movie."
(Image: Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Elsewhere, another shared: "Tonight was my third or fourth time watching this film. Of course, it has all the standard elements of being lost in space, and finding the ship sent before you - which has been lost for years - but there's just something different about this one.
"They detail the lengths to which people go in order to survive, and subsequently, how they sacrifice themselves when the mission (restarting the sun) hangs in the balance."
Sunshine is now streaming on Disney+