28 Years Later (2025) – Spoiler Free Review
Time didn’t heal anything. 28 Years Later is a British 2025 post-apocalyptic horror film directed and produced by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland. It’s the third installment in the 28 Days Later film series, and it was shot back-to-back with its upcoming sequel 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. The film was released by Columbia Pictures through Sony Pictures Releasing in the United Kingdom and the United States on June 20, 2025.
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.
Film synopsis
The cast includes Alfie Williams as Spike, Jodie Comer as Isla, Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Jamie, Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Ian Kelson, Edvin Ryding as Erik Sundqvist, Chi Lewis-Parry as Samson, Christopher Fulford as Sam, Amy Cameron as Rosey, Stella Gonet as Jenny, Jack O’Connell as Sir Jimmy Crystal, and Rocco Haynes as Young Jimmy.
As a big fan of 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, I was incredibly excited for the third installment in the franchise, especially since it’s confirmed to be the first film in a new trilogy. Unfortunately, my viewing experience didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
The trailer for 28 Years Later was one of the best horror movie trailers released this year, which only amplified my anticipation. However, the trailer turned out to be a major mislead about the film’s true nature. Instead of following the familiar structure of its predecessors, this movie shifts its focus dramatically, prioritizing character development over the infected. But this change isn’t the problem, but rather its execution.
The HBO adaptation of The Last of Us (2023) successfully centers its narrative on characters, with the infected and horror elements serving as a compelling backdrop. 28 Years Later attempts a similar approach but doesn’t quite pull it off. I found myself disengaged and bored with the story, unable to connect with the characters or genuinely care about their fates. Furthermore, the visual style felt oddly off-putting.
By leaning heavily into character exploration rather than the virus, the film delves into themes of humanity, death, and the loss of innocence, offering an unexpected emotional twist. Yet, many aspects fell short for me, with the notable exception of Isla and Spike’s mother son relationship that felt the most authentic. Spike’s evolution is noticeable and, frankly, a significant improvement, transforming him from a hesitant “I don’t know” figure to a boy prepared to confront the world.
The film includes a surprising amount of b-roll footage, much of which I’m still trying to understand the purpose of. The editing itself becomes a distraction, particularly during scenes where the infected are killed – the cuts often make little sense. The film was primarily shot using a iPhone 15 Max, supplemented by action cameras, digital film cameras, and drones. This is noticeable, and not in a good way. It gives the movie a cheap appearance, and the excessive number of camera angles is questionable.
28 Years Later makes the mistake of relying too heavily on the fact that a sequel has already been filmed, leaving numerous questions unanswered and failing to generate excitement for the next installment. The ending itself is bound to be divisive; it takes a 180-degree turn, feeling more like a post-credit scene than a proper conclusion to the movie.
This film is undoubtedly going to spark a lot of discussion and create a significant division among viewers – you’ll either love it or hate it. So far, it seems the majority has enjoyed the movie, placing me in the minority. While I wouldn’t rewatch it, if you’re still curious to see it in theaters, go for it. Personally, I would have preferred to watch it at home, but that’s just my opinion.
28 Years Later is now available in theaters.