[Review] 28 Days Later (2002) | Danny Boyle

[Review] 28 Days Later (2002) | Danny Boyle | Cillian Murphy | Alex Garland

28 Days Later (2002) is a post-apocalyptic zombie outbreak horror film directed by Danny Boyle & written by Alex Garland. Produced by Andrew Macdonald, with cinematography Anthony Dod Mantle, edited by Chris Gill, music by John Murphy and starring Cillian Murphy as Jim, Naomie Harris as Selena, Christopher Eccleston as Major Henry West, Megan Burns as Hannah & Brendan Gleeson as Frank, 28 Days Later had a massive cultural impact on the zombie genre. From Cabin Fever, Shaun of the Dead, I Am Legend, to even Nolan casting Murphy as the Scarecrow in Batman Begins, 28 Days Later contributed to the revival of zombie horror and infection films.

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS.

28 Days Later (2002) Synopsis:

The days are numbered.

Twenty-eight days after a killer virus was accidentally unleashed from a British research facility, a small group of London survivors are caught in a desperate struggle to protect themselves from the infected. Carried by animals and humans, the virus turns those it infects into homicidal maniacs – and it’s absolutely impossible to contain.

28 Days Later (2002) Review:

I remember dismissing this film when I was in film school, mostly because I was too much into world cinema and that made me overlook popular gems like this. But I’m more mature now than I was back then. I am able to appreciate things irrespective of whether they’re massy, pulpy, campy, or whatever elitist me would’ve hated.

Also, 28 Years Later (2025) just released in the US, with The Bone Temple coming out next year. So, this is the perfect time for me to catch up on this iconic zombie horror film.

The film opens with a bunch of militant animal rights activists who break into a research lab to free some chimps. Despite the scientist warning them, they open the cages, and all hell breaks loose.

28 days later… Jim (Cillian Murphy) wakes up from a coma to find London abandoned. As he makes his way through the empty streets and buildings, he encounters a bunch of infected, only to be rescued by Selena (Naomie Harris) and Mark (Noah Huntley). What follows is an unsettling tale of survival in a post-apocalyptic world. Jim visits home to find his parents having committed suicide to avoid facing a worse fate. Selena is forced to kill Mark after he is bitten by the infected during a scuffle. Later, they meet Frank (Brendan Gleeson) and his daughter Hannah (Megan Burns), who inform them about a military outpost who claim to have “salvation from infection”.

Jim (Cillian Murphy) running away from a burning zombie in 28 Days Later

A Template for Future Zombie Films

From survival horror, to haunted house, to outright gory zombie films, 28 Days Later borrows from many of its predecessors. George Romero, Sam Raimi, even Resident Evil (video games). A beautiful blend of many horror subgenres, this film manages to create a horrifying atmosphere through its grunge look, handheld aesthetic and smart lighting. The riveting narrative feels stressful during scenes of action, and daunting during scenes of horror.

But the film isn’t without its share of serene moments. When the group are on their way to ‘salvation’, the film even switches to a road trip aesthetic, giving viewers respite before the emotionally challenging finale with the soldiers and Major Henry West.

Looking at 28 Days Later without the context of its impact on the genre, the film delivers a solid, terrifying experience. Some viewers may find the film a tad underwhelming, but not me. I enjoyed it from start to finish. Mostly because of the aesthetics and stylistic choices the filmmakers took to enhance an already horrifying premise and setting.

Only A Low Budget Filmmaker Could Achieve This

28 Days Later (2002) had a budget of $8 million. Now, that isn’t really a small budget. But for what Boyle & Garland have achieved with this film, that number should have been much higher. I mean, Resident Evil (2002) had a budget of $33 million, and it doesn’t look half as terrifying.

From its grunge look, to its hyper-stylised editing to even the overly picturesque framing, it’s clear that the filmmakers compensated for the budget constraints with unchecked creativity. Every frame has an eerie, terrifying atmosphere to it. The lighting is dull when needed, and stylised when the mood demands it. But most importantly, the film revels in seamlessly transitioning from long takes to rapid cuts as per the narrative.

Frank (Brendan Gleeson), Jim (Cillian Murphy) and Selena (Naomie Harris) in the tunnel

I say only low-budget filmmakers could achieve this, because most films with bigger budgets don’t bother to sit back and ponder over the impact a single shot could have on the narrative. The film is a product of the filmmakers’ love for the medium, and it shows in the style and aesthetic they’ve developed to create this—at the time of its release—unique experience.

28 Days Later (2002) Ending Explained (SPOILERS)

Jim outsmarts and kills Major Henry West’s soldiers before rescuing Selena & Hannah from being sex slaves. They manage to enter Frank’s taxi, only to find West who shoots Jim in the stomach. Hannah manages to rashly drive the taxi towards an infected who breaks through the glass and grab West. Free from their captors, our protagonists leave the mansion, driving off into the night.

Without much clarity, the film tells us that Selena and Hannah managed to find a medical supplies and nurse Jim back to health. 28 more days later, we see the three in a remote cottage, where they await the passing of fighter jets. As one flies over, they run with massive cloth banners that spell out the word ‘Hello’ on the hillside in hopes of getting rescued.

The film ends with Jim, Selena and Hannah wondering if the jet pilot spotted them.

While we don’t find out their eventual fates—I haven’t watched 28 Weeks Later–the film ends with our protagonists in a relatively safe and peaceful environment, with hope on the horizon and a potential rescue in their future.

28 Days Later final scene featuring Naomie Harris as Selena & Cillian Murphy as Jim

Is 28 Days Later (2002) worth watching?

Yes. Admittedly, much of what the film presents was eventually improved and perfected by artists inspired by 28 Days Later. Yet, the film’s raw, grunge look, along with its captivating narrative and terrifying atmosphere still holds up. For the most part.

I just have one very minor complaint. Jim, a nobody who’s just woken up from a coma, outsmarts and kills so many ‘soldiers’ whilst evading the infected. That was too much for me. Also, the fact that the female characters ended up taking a backseat in the final act was a tad disappointing. Of course, it is a product of its time, so I was willing to let those issues slide, because almost everything else in the film was great.

In Conclusion:

28 Days Later (2002) is an iconic film. Apart from some era-appropriate issues, this film is a better way to spend 2 hours than most horror movies released this year.

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