28 Years Later

Director: Danny Boyle

Writer: Alex Garland

28 years after the Rage virus ripped through Britain, the country remains quarantined. The non-infected live in settlements, defending themselves from the infected. In one such settlement it’s time for 12 year old Spike (Alfie Williams) to set out, with his father, Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), who also takes care of his sick wife Isla (Jodie Comer), to the mainland and witness the infected. Although the trip doesn’t go to plan, on their return, Spike finds some hope that someone on the mainland can help his sick mother. This sets Spike and Isla on a dangerous journey. A journey that will have them face danger, life and death.

28 Years Later, is a brilliant mix of tense thriller, horror and classic British folk horror, which  doesn’t miss a chance to poke at the modern world, be it Britain, with a population full of rage separated from its continental neighbours, to modern day beauty decisions.

While you get much of what you’d expect, with tense run-ins with the infected, including bigger and stronger alpha’s. But the heart of the film is the relationship between a mother and son. A young son, pushed into “manhood” and responsibility, who is prepared to risk everything to find help for his mother. And it is its heart that stops it from being just another “zombie” apocalypse film.

The performances are great, Alfie Williams is impressive as the young lead, Jodie Comer is on top form and Ralph Fiennes’s Doctor brings a thoughtful take on the world they now inhabit.

The film also introduces an interesting juxtaposition, when Spike meets Eric (Edvin Ryding) a NATO soldier stranded in Britain, who introduces Spike to the World outside of quarantine.

28 Years Later is a fantastic mix of thriller, British folk horror and touching story of a son and mother. It comes with plenty of tense battles for survival, blood and gore, but the mother and son relationship gives it its heart and it’s that which keeps you hooked and hopeful. Its also full of the quirks and humour that made its predecessor such a cult classic. Roll on its sequels.