28 Years Later fans are left shocked over 'weird' Jimmy Savile reference and 'insane' cliffhanger ending

Daily Mail​

4 hours ago

28 Years Later has finally hit screens after years of anticipation and longtime fans of the horror franchise rushed to cinemas to watch the new film.
The third instalment has been hailed by critics as 'terrifying and electrifying' after it hit UK screens on Friday, and it stars Ralph Fiennes, Aaron Taylor Johnson and Jodie Comer.
With plenty of jump scares and gore, it provides fans with the long-awaited update about the state of the world 28 years after the outbreak that hit the UK in the 2002 original 28 Days Later.
However, one unexpected detail has left fans completely baffled as there was a seeming reference to disgraced TV presenter Jimmy Savile.
The 'bizarre' ending introduced Jack O Connell's character, cult leader Sir Jimmy Crystal, who appears to have been directly inspired by Jim'll Fix It presenter Savile.
Sexual abuse allegations emerged against Savile after his death in 2011, and it is believed he preyed on around 500 victims aged from five to 75 years old over many decades.
And the movie appeared to reference the disgraced former BBC star as Sir Jimmy and his cult followers were all dressed up in tracksuits, blonde wigs and jewellery.
If the visual parallels weren't enough, all of the characters were also called 'Jimmy' as the cult appeared to have modelled itself off the infamous sexual predator.
In the fictional world of 28 Years Later, it is not known whether Savile's crimes would have come to light, given the virus took over the UK in 2002, 10 years before they were uncovered in real life.
Viewers were left completely shocked by the 'weird' reference with many taking to social media to share their confusion over the ending, arguing the reference to Savile wasn't necessary.
Taking to X, they wrote: 'Just realised that Jack O'Connells character in 28 Years Later could be a nod to Jimmy Savile';
'Seriously don't get that last minute whatsoever weirdest tone shift ever'; '28 years later......did it really need the Jimmy Savile angle?';
'Watched 28 years later last night and I can't believe they had a character called Jimmy who dressed exactly like Jimmy Savile';
'Just seen 28 Years Later. Is 'Jimmy' and gang modelling themselves on Jimmy Savile?!'
Not referencing Savile, other fans took to social media to general share their baffled thoughts after the movie jarringly transitioned from an emotional death scene to Sir Jimmy and his clan - before abruptly ending.
Comments included: 'I really liked 28 years later!! I think it adds more to the franchise but damn that ending fell flat!';
'After telling my wife about 28 Years Later I think I've warmed to the ending a little'; 28 Years Later ending got me all like huh?;
'The ending of 28 years later is so stupid, they could never make me hate it'; 'Just watched 28 years later and holy!! Was so good (except for the ending lowkey bonkers)';
'Watched 28 years later and it was as mostly good but the ending gave me incredibly weird vibes';
'The ending of 28 Years Later kind of justifies seeing it in theaters, solely to hear the reactions of the audience. Did not see that coming at all, and I honestly kind of loved it, as jarring as it was.'
According to Business Insider, director Danny confirmed the rumours that Savile was the inspiration behind Jack's character.
'He's as much to do with pop culture as he is to do with sportswear, to do with cricket, to do with the honors system,' he allegedly told the publication of Savile.
With plenty of jump scares and gore, it provides fans with the long-awaited update about the state of the world 28 years after the outbreak that hit the UK in the 2002 original 28 Days Later
'It's all kind of twisting in this partial remembrance, clinging onto things and then recreating them as an image for followers.'
The unexpected cliffhanger ending will no doubt be addressed in the upcoming fourth movie, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, as Jack is set to return as Sir Jimmy.
It is believed that the character will be involved in a plot surrounding selective memory in the upcoming sequel, which is slated to hit screens in January 2026.
The fourth movie will look at how different groups try to construct a future based on their memories and 'amnesia' about the past.
'We are living in a time right now which is absolutely dominated by a misremembered past,' Alex added.
The first movie of the series, 28 Days Later, followed Jim (Cillian Murphy), who awakes from a coma to discover Britain has been plagued by a terrible pandemic known as the Rage Virus, which turns those affected into murderous zombies.
He didn't star in the second instalment 28 Weeks Later and isn't in the third newly-released movie 28 Years Later, Cillian will make a brief appearance in the upcoming fourth instalment.
28 YEARS LATER: THE REVIEWS
The Daily Mail (FIVE STARS)
Rating:
With the terrifying and electrifying 28 Years Later, director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland have delivered the best post-apocalyptic horror-thrill I have ever seen.
The Times (FIVE STARS)
Rating:
Jodie Comer is impressive as always in the latest instalment of the post-apocalyptic series
The Telegraph (FIVE STARS)
Rating:
This transfixingly nasty zombie horror sequel, starring Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes, is Danny Boyle's best film in 15 years
The Evening Standard (FIVE STARS)
Rating:
Jodie Comer, young Alfie Williams and Ralph Fiennes have a monsters' ball in this supercharged third outing for the 28 Days Later series
BBC Culture (FOUR STARS)
Rating:
Alex Garland and Danny Boyle have reunited for a follow-up to their 2002 classic. It has visual flair, terrifying adversaries and scene-stealing performance from Ralph Fiennes.
Empire (FOUR STARS)
Rating:
The sequel we needed is both the film you expect, and the one you don't. There's blood, but also real guts and brain and heart - visceral cinema soaked in viscera.
The Guardian (THREE STARS)
This tonally uncertain revival mixes folk horror and little-England satire as an island lad seeks help for his sick mum on the undead-infested mainland.
The Independent (THREE STARS)