Phenomenal 28 Years Later is the first horror film to make me cry
I don't remember the last time a horror film started with the Teletubbies, but 28 Years Later wins the award for the most impactful use of the famous British kids' TV show's opening – as well as the most upsetting.
It should also win awards as one of the most triumphant ever revitalisations of a franchise that transcends the idea of mere genre.
28 Years Later is the most heart-wrenching, emotionally involving horror film I have ever watched, while also turning up the gore and terror to 11.
Plunging straight into a bloody and violent opening, it seems like this could be a nightmare to begin with – but it's not. And this won't be the last time you have that rather desperate wish while watching this movie.
Original 28 Days Later director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland firmly take the reins once again for a follow-up to the film that cemented their careers in 2002.
Like the less well-received 28 Weeks Later in 2007, which Boyle and Garland only executive-produced, 28 Years Later is not a direct sequel.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
It's set in the same post-apocalyptic world where humans contaminated with the blood-born Rage Virus are instantly transformed into the zombie-like Infected.
With the British mainland now quarantined – and patrolled by boats – survivors have been left to fend for themselves in the intervening years, including a small island community that has protected itself thanks to its connecting causeway, only traversable at low tide.
Here, 12-year-old Spike (brilliant newcomer Alfie Williams) is taken on his first hunting mission to the mainland by his father Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), who is determined to toughen his son in the face of danger and death.
We discover how the Infected have evolved too, from the blubbery, bald strain who creepily crawl along the ground, slurping up worms, to the advent of Alphas, who are bigger, stronger and meaner.
They have the intelligence to hunt more stealthily – and also the truly hideous habit of 'despining' their victims.
Everything about 28 Years Later is more extreme than its predecessors, but particularly when it comes to its gruesomeness and scariness, from each death being a blood-spattered snapshot at the moment of the kill, to the horrors of a carved-up victim hung by his ankles and choking on the bag slowly gathering his blood that's tied over his head. I hope you're not squeamish.
The tension is also exquisite, with a pursuit scene that manages to be both heart-pounding and beautiful thanks to Young Fathers' haunting soundtrack combining with stunning shots of the starry night sky, pinpoints of light and water spray, creating an almost psychedelic experience. It's truly incredible what Boyle has managed to capture on the screen with returning cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle, especially when the film was largely shot on iPhones.
Spike's vulnerable mother Isla (Jodie Comer) then sparks the determination in him to embark on a quest with her for a cure to her undiagnosed illness, putting them on the path to meet fellow survivor Dr Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), who is on his own memento mori mission.
An oddball but compassionate figure, the character of Kelson helps emphasise the close connection to death necessary in this world. The perspectives crystalised in such an extreme post-apocalyptic scenario are deftly intertwined, which also then cracks the audience open for the emotional damage yet to come.
28 Years Later is a brutally moving film, and the first horror movie to make me cry. More Trending
It's also a phenomenal piece of cinema, and just when you think it's all over, the ending introduces a very uncomfortable reference for British audiences in Jack O'Connell's late-arriving character.
He tells Spike, 'let's be friends', and you'll immediately be worried, but it tees up fans perfectly for what fresh horrors await in January's sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
28 Years Later is out in UK cinemas on Thursday, June 19.
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: M3GAN 2.0 risks crossing 'really fine line' with explicit jokes
MORE: Netflix adds 'unrelenting' horror movie days before follow-up drops in cinemas
MORE: Most 'unpredictable' horror movie of the decade is now streaming on Netflix
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Welsh speakers develop Celtic connections in exchange
The Celtic Exchange programme, developed by the British-Irish Council, united young creative professionals to learn new media skills and co-create multilingual content. They also explored their common cultural roots. As part of the programme, participants travelled through the Western Isles, meeting filmmakers, content creators, and musicians, to learn how these ancient languages are part of their modern creative work. They discovered more about the similarities between their languages and cultures, building a network to develop ideas and multilingual content in the future. Ifan Prys, who works at Rondo Media and took part in the exchange, said: 'The trip was a unique opportunity to meet other Celtic language content creators, to share ideas and strengthen the networks between the linguistic communities. 'The programme was full of varied and rich activities. We had the opportunity to network with MG ALBA and BBC Alba and with local producers, discussing our opportunities, challenges and ambitions. 'The opportunity to learn, share and inspire alongside creative people from diverse linguistic backgrounds was invaluable. It has really reinforced the importance of continuing to work creatively in our languages.' Bethan Campbell from Boom Cymru was inspired by collaborating with fellow Celts. "The trip to Scotland was a very special experience," she said. "The activities were valuable and very diverse." The young creatives gained hands-on experience by producing multilingual content, which premiered at the 2025 Celtic Media Festival in Newquay, Cornwall. Welsh language secretary, Mark Drakeford, said: "The Celtic Exchange programme celebrates our living languages and supports young people to build creative careers using their indigenous languages, wherever they choose to live and work. "We're proud to work with our partners across the nations to grow our languages, strengthen our cultural connections and help people develop opportunities and careers in their indigenous languages.'
Leader Live
an hour ago
- Leader Live
Jodie Comer says being led by Danny Boyle in 28 Years Later was a ‘proper dream'
Comer, who is best known for playing the antagonist Villanelle in the hit BBC series Killing Eve, was speaking at the 28 Years Later world premiere in Leicester Square on Wednesday evening. 28 Years Later is set in the same world as the 2002 apocalyptic horror 28 Days Later, which saw Cillian Murphy play a bicycle courier who awakes from a coma to discover the accidental release of a highly contagious, aggression-inducing virus has caused the breakdown of society. The new instalment follows on almost three decades since the virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, where some have found a way to exist amid the infected despite an enforced quarantine. When one of the group leaves the gated island they are residing on for a mission to the mainland, they discover secrets and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well. Comer features in the film alongside Ralph Fiennes and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Comer said on Wednesday: 'I was honoured when I got this script through. 'And you know, with the opportunity to sit down with Danny, who's a filmmaker who I've admired for a very long time, and to be kind of led by him and be on one of his sets is a proper dream.' She added that Boyle leads a 'calm, playful, fun' set. 28 Years Later will be screened in cinemas from Friday.
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
Jodie Comer says being led by Danny Boyle in 28 Years Later was a ‘proper dream'
Comer, who is best known for playing the antagonist Villanelle in the hit BBC series Killing Eve, was speaking at the 28 Years Later world premiere in Leicester Square on Wednesday evening. 28 Years Later is set in the same world as the 2002 apocalyptic horror 28 Days Later, which saw Cillian Murphy play a bicycle courier who awakes from a coma to discover the accidental release of a highly contagious, aggression-inducing virus has caused the breakdown of society. The new instalment follows on almost three decades since the virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, where some have found a way to exist amid the infected despite an enforced quarantine. When one of the group leaves the gated island they are residing on for a mission to the mainland, they discover secrets and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well. Comer features in the film alongside Ralph Fiennes and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Comer said on Wednesday: 'I was honoured when I got this script through. 'And you know, with the opportunity to sit down with Danny, who's a filmmaker who I've admired for a very long time, and to be kind of led by him and be on one of his sets is a proper dream.' She added that Boyle leads a 'calm, playful, fun' set. 28 Years Later will be screened in cinemas from Friday.
