Danny Boyle and scriptwriter Alex Garland’s horror saga, 28 Years Later, takes a mythical turn.
28 Years Later marks the returns of Boyle, Garland and cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle to the film series.
It follows a young boy’s quest to secure his ailing mother’s safety in what remains of a country ravaged by a virus.
The third film in the 28 Days Later film series, it stars Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams and Ralph Fiennes.
Oscar winning actor Cillian (Oppenheimer) Murphy, who starred in the first film, served as executive producer.
Released in the U.S. by Columbia Pictures June 20, 2025, it received positive reviews from critics and grossed $151 million against a budget of $60 million.
Premise
In 2002, during initial outbreak of the Rage virus, young boy Jimmy Crystal flees his house in the Scottish Highlands as his family are attacked by the infected.
He takes refuge in the local church with his father-minister, but finds him praying in ecstasy because he interprets the virus as harbinger of the end times. Jimmy’s father bequeaths him a cross necklace, helping him to safety before submitting to the infected.
Twenty-eight years after its second outbreak, the Rage virus has been eradicated from continental Europe, but the British Isles remain under indefinite quarantine with few survivors.
A civilised community has subsisted on Lindisfarne, an island defended from Great Britain by causeway that floods. Among them are Jamie, a scavenger; his wife Isla, who suffers mentally debilitating illness; and their young son, Spike.
Saga Continues….
The film was shot back-to-back with its sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, set to be released in January 2026.
