Released in 2002,28 Days Lateris considered by many to be one of the most important horror films of the new millennium.28 Days Lateraddressed the breakdown of society in the wake of an epidemic, similar to thefilms of George A. Romero. Its commentary on disease, with society becoming overrun at breakneck speed by the infected, was highly reminiscent of Umberto Lenzi’sNightmare City. A sequel to28 Days Later,28 Weeks Later,was released in 2007.
Now, director Danny Boyle is bringing us the third installment,28 Years Later. As we currently live in a post-COVID pandemic world, Boyle’s latest installment has the chance to use the zombie apocalypse as a means of social commentary. Here’s what we know so far about28 Years Later.
28 Years Later
Who Are the Cast and Crew Involved in ‘28 Years Later’?
28 Years Laterwill see the return of many individuals who broughtthe original28 Days Laterto the screen.Danny Boyle will be assuming directing duties and wrote the third installment with Alex Garland, with whom he co-wrote the original28 Days Later. Garland has penned some of the past decade’s more impactful science fiction films, includingAnnihilationandEx Machina, and also wroteCivil Warin 2024.
Boyle has proven to be a versatile director, as his credits also includeTrainspotting,127 Hours, andSlumdog Millionaire.28 Years Laterboasts an impressive cast that will feature Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, Ralph Fiennes, and Jodie Comer. Cillian Murphy, the star of the original28 Days Later, will not be appearing in28 Years Later, but will be handling some production duties.
Not only will28 Years Laterbe the third installment in a trilogy that began in 2002, butit will also be the start of a new trifecta of films penned by Garland.According to Entertainment Weekly, Garland was candid about the abundance of material he has lined up, stating, “We tried to condense it, but its natural form felt like a trilogy.” The next confirmed installment in the new trilogy, entitled28 Years Later: The Boneyard,will be directed by Nia DaCosta, who already proved adept at franchise sequels withthe 2021 version ofCandyman.
Ralph Fiennes Teases an Entire Set “Built of Bones” in ‘28 Days Later’ Sequel
The actor briefly discussed his role in Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s upcoming zombie trilogy.
What Will ‘28 Years Later’ Be About?
By all accounts,28 Years Laterwill borrow a page fromGeorge Romero’s originalDeadTrilogy. That is to say, the epidemic is no longer just a threat and has become the new norm. The breakdown of society in28 Days Laterhas become fully realized, and survivors carve out an existence in a world that has descended into complete chaos. The bleak nature of the situation in28 Years Lateris stated bluntly with the tagline: “Time didn’t heal anything.”
Far removed from modern society and urban locations,28 Years Laterwill take place on an island and follow three survivors, Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), Isla (Jodie Comer), and Spike (Alfie Williams), the pair’s young son. The United Kingdom in28 Years Laterhas devolved into something resembling the Dark Ages, where a new plague once again spreads like wildfire over its inhabitants.
Ralph Fiennes describes the setting in28 Years Lateras full of “infected people who are violent, rabid humans.” The island on which the survivors of the original epidemic exist is connected to the mainland by a simple causeway. In this world where humankind is on the verge of extinction, survivors and the infected alike revert to an almost tribal and primitive existence.
‘28 Years Later’ Reveals Terrifying New Promo Images Ahead of Second Trailer
The world has changed a lot since we last saw the survivors in ‘28 Weeks Later.’
When Will ‘28 Years Later’ Be Out?
And Where Can I Watch the Other Films While I Wait?
As of right now,28 Years Lateris slated to be released in theaters in June 2025. If you’re interested in watching the other two films in the trilogy,28 Days Laterand28 Weeks Laterare bothavailable to rent or buy on Prime Video and Apple TV.
