28 Years Later viewers left baffled over ‘weird' final scene and sickening nod
Fans of the film were left baffled after watching 28 Years Later as the ending showed a cult dressed in blonde wigs and shell suits as an apparent salute to disgraced Jimmy Savile
28 Years Later has recently come under intense scrutiny by fans as the ending of the film appears to pay homage to peadophile, Jimmy Savile. The latest instalment of the horror franchise, directed by famed director Danny Boyle, shows a 12-year old boy named Spike who has managed to be kept safe from the virus.
Played by Alfie Williams, Spike is taken from the small island that he has been safely living on and is now on a mission to head to the mainland.
The film also stars acclaimed actors Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes, along with Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who was cast as Spike's dad.
The highly anticipated movie ends with Spike bumping into a cult on the mainland, whose leader is a man named Jimmy Crystal, played by Jack O'Connell.
As the encounter gathers pace, viewers are made aware that the cult are Kung Fu experts and their fashion sense has been inspired by prolific peadophile Jimmy Savile as they donned blonde wigs and shell suits.
However, it was initially unclear as to why the director decided to give a nod to the disgraced TV personality as following his death, police at the time concluded that he was a predatory sex offender as the extent of his sickening crimes came to light.
At the time of his death in October 2011, a slew of allegations surrounding sexual assault were brought to the public attention, which led to a police investigation.
And this may explain why fans of the film were left scratching their heads over the chosen ending and its nod to the monster.
Taking to social media, one person wrote: "Watched 28 Years Later last night and I can't believe they had a character called Jimmy who dressed exactly like Jimmy Savile."
Another said: "If you have an itch that can only be scratched by watching a film that ends with ninjas who are all dressed like Jimmy Savile, then go and watch 28 Years Later. I'm not even joking."
Meanwhile a third added: "Movie was alright, epic cinematography. Not sure why there were 15 Jimmy Saviles at the end though."
And a fourth penned: "I went to see 28 Years Later and I thought it was a smart, gripping and unexpected sequel in the series. I even liked the weird Kill Bill Jimmy Savile end!"
In a bid to gain clarity over the ending a number of fans came forward with their own theories as to why the ending appeared to feature Jimmy Savile.
One person said: "In the world of 28 Years Later, Jimmy Savile was never outed as a pervert and was still a beloved entertainer in the minds of all survivors."
Another viewer explained: "Crazy that the Jimmy character in 28 Years Later resembled Jimmy Savile - I guess with the UK pretty much coming to an end in 2002 in that world he was never exposed for his crimes."
When speaking to The Independent, Danny Boyle explained: "The role of Jack O'Connell's character and his family, which is a replacement, really, for the family he loses at the beginning of the film, is to reintroduce evil into what has become a compassionate environment."
He added: "I asked Alex [Garland, writer] right at the beginning to just tell me what's the nature of each of the films, and he said that the nature of the first film is about family. The second film is about the nature of evil. And you're about to meet a lot more of them when it'll be more appropriate to talk about them in the second film."
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BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
28 Years Later director Danny Boyle's rise from Bury to film visionary
Not many directors can convince a reigning monarch to appear in a comedy skit, but Elizabeth II was said to be "very amused" when invited by Danny Boyle to star in a James Bond sketch for the 2012 London Bury-born filmmaker will add the highly-anticipated 28 Years Later to a back catalogue that includes Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire, as the zombie flick screens in cinemas this 68-year-old has always been proud of his hometown of Radcliffe, and fulfilled a promise to mention his local social club during his Academy Awards acceptance speech in family and friends gathered at St Mary's Catholic Social Club which his father used to run and where Boyle drank lemonade as a boy, to watch him on screen that year when Slumdog Millionaire scooped eight Oscars. The Indian-set movie, inspired by the TV quiz show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, became a runaway global success despite a relatively small $15m it was the latest in a string of unconventional movies that had become unexpected mainstream commercial successes for recently told the Guardian newspaper: "I want to push the boat out, but take the popular audience with me." Boyle became enamoured by cinema at a young age, and graduated with a degree in English and Drama from Bangor University in later worked at the prestigious Royal Court in London, dubbed the "writers theatre", and directed productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company. A move into making TV dramas for the BBC in Northern Ireland and ITV's Inspector Morse came drew fame in the mid-1990s when he directed the dark movie comedy Shallow Grave about Edinburgh flatmates who find a large suitcase of money, which starred Christopher Eccleston and Ewan film's modern story telling and visual style was credited with breaking away from the traditional image of British cinema, which had been associated with period dramas. Boyle collaborated again with McGregor for Trainspotting with its gritty and humorous take on heroin addicts in the Scottish the pair fell out when Titanic star Leonardo DiCaprio was offered the lead role for Boyle's 2000 movie The director has admitted "we didn't treat [McGregor] very well", while the latter said he had "felt like it was a badge on my sleeve: I am Danny Boyle's actor". They have since made up and reunited with the rest of the Trainspotting cast to make a sequel in 2017. Boyle was chosen to direct a hugely memorable opening ceremony at the 2012 Olympics – dubbed Isles of extravaganza drew more than 20m viewers in the UK, and celebrated British achievements in industry, culture and the then there was the viral moment when the Queen Elizabeth II appeared in a sketch with James Bond star Daniel Craig, where she had requested to utter the unforgettable words: "Good evening, Mr Bond." Boyle was later chosen to direct the most recent 007 film No Time To Die, but he pulled out months before the start of filming due to "creative differences". The filmmaker's risk-taking and creativity has won him not only fans among audiences but actors Comer, who appears in 28 Years Later, recently said to be "led by him and be on one of his sets is a proper dream".A follow-up to the 2002 film 28 Days Later, their new movie marks a return to horror for Boyle, who recently told the BBC he still found "something intangible but amazing about cinema". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Metro
9 hours ago
- Metro
I watched 28 Years Later despite hating horror films - scaredy-cats should too
I distinctly remember the moment I started hating scary films. My friend's mum had snuck me and her daughter – two only-just-13-year-olds – into a screening of 15-rated Hot Fuzz. I know now that this Simon Pegg cult classic is considered a comedy but for teenage me, it was the most terrifying thing I'd ever seen. Beheadings, impalings, and charred bodies – it was far too much. So when 28 Weeks Later came out that same year, and friends suggested watching the original in preparation, I squirmed. I actually believe I sat on my pal's sofa with eyes closed, periodically walking in and out the room (which has resulted in a very patchy recollection of the plot). Anyway, all that's to say that I haven't strayed far from the rom-com/action/comedy genre since. Until this week – when I scored an invite to the premiere of 28 Years Later. Not one to turn down a freebie, and with my 31-year-old big girl pants firmly on, I decided to give it a watch. Warning: This article contains spoilers. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video And I have to say, even as someone who despises jumpscares, it's definitely worth seeing. I do have a slight disclaimer in that I did demand Metro's senior film reporter Tori Brazier – who had seen the film the day before – warn me about the scariest moments. I was met with instructions like 'when you see the deer skull, close your eyes', and 'turn away when they enter the train carriage'. For those who have spent a life trying to stay blissfully unaware of the plot of the zombie trilogy, it's this: 28 years before the most recent installment, animal rights activists release chimpanzee lab subjects who essentially spread a rage-inducing virus across the UK creating 'the infected' (aka zombies). These running, blood-vomiting, shrieking monsters (who are largely naked by 28 Years Later) terrorise the UK to the point that the nation is placed in global quarantine, with human survivors left to defend themselves while life goes on in the rest of the world. In a little community, on a small island off the mainland, separated by one road through the water, 12-year-old Spike (Alfie Williams), his mum Isla (Jodie Comer) and his dad Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), have found safety. The film sees Spike and both of his parents make trips to the mainland; in his dad's case, it's so Spike can make his first kill; in his mum's, Spike's looking to find the mysterious Dr Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) who lives on the mainland and who Spike believes can cure Isla of her unknown illness. And of course, there's the infected to navigate around – especially the new alphas (aka super zombies) providing ample opportunity for blood, gore and scares. There's the opening five minutes, where we wait with bated breath to see if a roomful of terrified children survive the infected descending. Well, you can guess how that goes. And there's the scene where we see an alpha rip a man's head from his neck, withdrawing his spine like a bone from a tender beef rib, and using it to batter another man. But you know what, despite Tori's warnings, I only closed my eyes once (I did, however, jump out of my skin twice). Because, in that moment, I really felt like I would be missing out if I decided to watch the insides of my eyelids instead. The acting in this film is phenomenal. Right before it screened, Danny Boyle talked about the 'Harry Potter effect' and how there are an incredible amount of talented young wannabe-actors out there. We saw it with Owen Cooper in Adolescence, and we see it again with Alfie Williams who does a stand-out job, considering it is his character that leads the entire plot of the film. We feel his terror, fear for his safety from the offset, feel the immense pressure that's on him, see his youthful innocence when he notices his dad is exaggerating their successes, and treasure the moments he has with his mum, pulling silly faces in a crumbling cathedral. The main cast may be small but they are mighty. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes don't have a huge amount of screen time each but when they do appear, they draw you in with their quirks, flaws and humanness (which is kind of the whole point of the film, I know). Yes, I might have found the straddling of the slapstick comedy vs the heart-wrenching vs the horror jarring at times, but I'm well-assured that that is the beauty of Danny Boyle, and in honesty the film would be a lot weaker if even one of these aspects were missing. As part of her warning, Tori mentioned that there was one scary scene I must keep my eyes open for, and I'm glad I listened. Thinking they've escaped an alpha after a night of near-death experiences, Jamie and Spike walk back across the causeway, the stress falling away as they joke around. The peace doesn't last and we see an immense chase scene, with the camera panning in and out to show the splash of the father and son's strides being closely followed by that of their pursuer, all under an inky blue sky peppered with stars and northern lights. More Trending It's utterly gorgeous while also bringing you out in a cold sweat. I'd have been a fool to look away. And so I'm glad I faced my fears and gave into the horror genre. I would hardly say I'm a convert (I'll still be comfort-watching Miss Congeniality for the rest of my days), but maybe I'll go back and give 28 Days and 28 Weeks later a go. Maybe I'll even like them. Maybe I'll finally be able to face Hot Fuzz. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: I went to Glastonbury and discovered it's just really overrated MORE: 'One of the best horror films' is finally coming to Amazon Prime next week MORE: 'I'm the 6ft 8in Alpha in 28 Years Later that's haunting your dreams'
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
28 Years Later viewers left baffled over ‘weird' final scene and sickening nod
Fans of the film were left baffled after watching 28 Years Later as the ending showed a cult dressed in blonde wigs and shell suits as an apparent salute to disgraced Jimmy Savile 28 Years Later has recently come under intense scrutiny by fans as the ending of the film appears to pay homage to peadophile, Jimmy Savile. The latest instalment of the horror franchise, directed by famed director Danny Boyle, shows a 12-year old boy named Spike who has managed to be kept safe from the virus. Played by Alfie Williams, Spike is taken from the small island that he has been safely living on and is now on a mission to head to the mainland. The film also stars acclaimed actors Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes, along with Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who was cast as Spike's dad. The highly anticipated movie ends with Spike bumping into a cult on the mainland, whose leader is a man named Jimmy Crystal, played by Jack O'Connell. As the encounter gathers pace, viewers are made aware that the cult are Kung Fu experts and their fashion sense has been inspired by prolific peadophile Jimmy Savile as they donned blonde wigs and shell suits. However, it was initially unclear as to why the director decided to give a nod to the disgraced TV personality as following his death, police at the time concluded that he was a predatory sex offender as the extent of his sickening crimes came to light. At the time of his death in October 2011, a slew of allegations surrounding sexual assault were brought to the public attention, which led to a police investigation. And this may explain why fans of the film were left scratching their heads over the chosen ending and its nod to the monster. Taking to social media, one person wrote: "Watched 28 Years Later last night and I can't believe they had a character called Jimmy who dressed exactly like Jimmy Savile." Another said: "If you have an itch that can only be scratched by watching a film that ends with ninjas who are all dressed like Jimmy Savile, then go and watch 28 Years Later. I'm not even joking." Meanwhile a third added: "Movie was alright, epic cinematography. Not sure why there were 15 Jimmy Saviles at the end though." And a fourth penned: "I went to see 28 Years Later and I thought it was a smart, gripping and unexpected sequel in the series. I even liked the weird Kill Bill Jimmy Savile end!" In a bid to gain clarity over the ending a number of fans came forward with their own theories as to why the ending appeared to feature Jimmy Savile. One person said: "In the world of 28 Years Later, Jimmy Savile was never outed as a pervert and was still a beloved entertainer in the minds of all survivors." Another viewer explained: "Crazy that the Jimmy character in 28 Years Later resembled Jimmy Savile - I guess with the UK pretty much coming to an end in 2002 in that world he was never exposed for his crimes." When speaking to The Independent, Danny Boyle explained: "The role of Jack O'Connell's character and his family, which is a replacement, really, for the family he loses at the beginning of the film, is to reintroduce evil into what has become a compassionate environment." He added: "I asked Alex [Garland, writer] right at the beginning to just tell me what's the nature of each of the films, and he said that the nature of the first film is about family. The second film is about the nature of evil. And you're about to meet a lot more of them when it'll be more appropriate to talk about them in the second film."
