Hooked On Horror Review - 28 Years Later

So, after a long 18 years we’ve finally been treated to a third film in the 28 Days Later franchise, and I’m assuming if you’re reading this review, you want to know whether or not this one was worth the wait? For me, this was one hundred percent worth the wait. It wasn’t rushed or lazily made, it didn’t feel like some soulless quick cash grab and it wasn’t a re-hash of what we’ve already seen. Horror and heart go hand in hand in a sensational sequel from Danny Boyle & Alex Garland.

It's been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped from a biological weapons laboratory. Still living in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amid 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 them decides to venture into the dark heart of the mainland, he soon discovers a mutation that has spread to not only the infected, but other survivors as well.

Very much in keeping with its predecessors, the film’s opening scene is one of utter horror and chaos as we’re taken back to the beginning of the Rage virus outbreak. It’s a great opening that I’d say is more brutal and intense that the utterly insane opening in that country house in 28 Weeks Later. From there then the film comes into present day with a brief explanation as to what has happened since the outbreak.

In short, the virus annihilated the UK but has since been eradicated from continental Europe. The UK is in an indefinite quarantine with armed forces patrolling the surrounding waters, survivors were left to fend for themselves. Which brings us to our survivors who have built a community of sorts on Lindisfarne, an island off the coast of the UK which is only accessible during low tide.

Here we meet Spike (Alfie Williams) and his parents Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Isla (Jodie Comer), and a handful of secondary characters that live in this community with them. Spike & his father, Jamie, are gearing up for Spike’s first trip to the mainland- which has become somewhat of a rite of passage in this community. It’s a remarkably unique film in the sense it’s different to the previous two. You’re still very aware you’re watching 28 Years Later, but it’s sort of like a coming-of-age story set within a horror film.

Additionally, if you are coming into this completely new not having seen the previous two, you won’t get lost. Whilst this exists within the same universe as 28 Days & 28 Weeks, you could easily view this as a stand-alone film as it gives you enough of an explanation as to what’s come before. I will say though, if you have seen them, it just makes watching this film ten times better.

The story went to some rather interesting, and unexpected, places that I’ll be honest about- I really was not ready for it. Whilst the film didn’t offer anything much regarding the lore and mythology, it expanded the universe and introduced to a few new things. There were a one or two scenes I say matched the intensity and utter dread I felt (and still feel) watching that tyre change scene in the tunnel in 28 Days Later. Biting my nails a few times throughout the film. The ending was somewhat odd, but when you stop to think about when the outbreak happened (2002), it makes sense to a degree. A very ballsy move, some may call stupid, from Boyle & Garland considering what’s come to light in the real world since.

Hooked On Horror Review - 28 Years Later

The thing that caught me off guard watching this was the heart this film had. Garland’s writing is on point for this and manages to change the entire tone of the film with one scene alone. For those of you who’ve seen it should know what I’m referring to, and I’ve no doubt I’m not alone here, but me personally, I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. It… it hit a bit too close to home if I’m honest. Didn’t think I’d be writing this, but this is the first zombie film to ever make me cry.  I’ll give props to Garland for this, as you never see it addressed much within these types of films. You kind of go into them with a suspension of disbelief knowing you won’t have to deal with some of the horrors of reality we face in our everyday lives. But this film went there, very effectively may I add. It brought an unbelievable amount of weight and humanity to the film.

The infected, of course, have evolved in some sense, and we get introduced to some of them in this film. I do think what we saw in this film will be the tip of the iceberg. I think Garland and Boyle have got a few more surprises for us in the next films. I was a big fan of the Alpha; they’re basically the Jason f*cking Voorhees of zombies- an absolute beast! It was pretty cool to see… although I do think we saw a bit too much of him if I’m honest (IYKYK). Dude could give Ron Jeremy or Hodor a run for their money.

The cast were fantastic. Comer and Taylor-Johnson gave stellar performances as always, as did Ralph Fiennes. I’ll admit, I do hope we see more of Fiennes’ character in the next two films as I loved him in this. Would love to see Comer popping up in more horror films, Taylor-Johnson on the other hand seems to be making a bit of name for himself in this genre, even if he is a Chad in this film- come a long way since his Kick-Ass days, and it’s great to see. Up and comer Alfie Williams was brilliant. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next for him and his character in this franchise. Hopefully see him pop up more in other stuff as well, think he’s got a good career ahead of him.

A rig was specifically made to shoot with multiple iPhones during production

The soundtrack was wonderful and suited the film well, although I will admit part of me did still miss Murphy's iconic score. Whilst you get subtle nuances to John Murphy’s iconic score from the previous two, it’s vastly different. As Murphy is currently working on James Gunn’s upcoming Superman, I do wonder if that’s the reason for his absence. Loved the used of Kipling's harrowing 1903 poem 'Boots' during the film, works just as well as it did for the films trailer's and ads. The film is beautifully shot with Boyle taking full advantage of the scenic UK landscape and utilising the iPhone in a way that I’ve not seen done on film before- it was fascinating, unsettling and gave us some very unique moments in this film.

All in all, it’s a fantastic return to the franchise, and start to a new trilogy, that opens up an endless number of possibilities to where they can go next. I’m full invested at this point, and I’m looking forward to seeing where they go. Furthermore, I’m excited to see Cillian Murphy come back into the mix, be interesting to see where he fits into all this. It has left me with several questions, hopefully they'll be addressed in the upcoming films.