A ‘staggering’ horror sequel is available to stream on NOW TV before the eagerly anticipated fourth film in the franchise hits cinemas.
In 2024, after almost 20 years of rumours, it was confirmed that a third film in the 28 Days Later franchise was on its way.
It came 23 years after the original film revolutionised the zombie subgenre, and 18 years after its sequel, 28 Weeks Later, dazzled audiences.
Starring Ralph Fiennes, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Jack O’Connell, 28 Years Later follows Spike (Alfie Williams), who lives on a remote island with his dad, Jamie (Taylor-Johnson), and mum, Isla (Comer), 28 years after the original rage virus outbreak.
On the mainland, Spike and Jamie come into contact with the infected, including a particularly vicious apha curiously named Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry), as well as Dr Ian Kelson (Fiennes), whom Jamie warns Spike away from.
After an altercation with his father back home, Spike takes Isla to the mainland in search of Dr Kelson, whom Spike believes can cure his mother of a mysterious ailment.
28 Years Later proved a box office hit, earning $151 million (£111.9m) worldwide against a budget of $60m (£44.4m).
A sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, was shot at the same time as 28 Years Later, and is set to be released in UK cinemas on January 14.
Thanks to the success of 28 Years Later, the proposed trilogy of new films is thought to be going ahead, with Deadline reporting that part three is currently in development.
The publication reported that Alex Garland will return to write the third film, while 28 Days Later actor Cillian Murphy is in talks to reprise his role in the 2002 film as Jim.
28 Years Later holds an impressive 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critics’ consensus reading: ’28 Years Later taps into contemporary anxieties with the ferocious urgency of someone infected with Rage Virus, delivering a haunting and visceral thrill ride that defies expectations.’
Metro’s own five-star review hailed the films as ‘phenomenal’, adding: ‘It should also win awards as one of the most triumphant ever revitalisations of a franchise that transcends the idea of mere genre.
Where to watch all of the 28 Days Later films
- 28 Days Later – NOW TV and Sky
- 28 Weeks Later – Amazon Prime Video and Disney+
- 28 Years Later – NOW TV and Sky
- 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple – released in UK cinemas on January 14
’28 Years Later is the most heart-wrenching, emotionally involving horror film I have ever watched, while also turning up the gore and terror to 11.’
Filmspotting wrote: ‘If you feared Boyle and Garland might play it safe with their now-seemingly-precious IP, 28 Years Later sufficiently proves otherwise. There’s enough creative gristle to chew on and more than enough to stoke curiosity for what’s next.’
The Atlantic echoed the same sentiments, saying: ‘Before the movie began, I worried whether Boyle and Garland would be able to top themselves more than two decades after 28 Days Later; by the time it ended, I was laughing at just how fantastical and wild their efforts were.’
MovieFreak.com hailed 28 Years Later ‘an essential piece of horror social commentary,’ while the New York Times said it was ‘a classic boys-into-men coming-of-age story updated for the postapocalypse.’
Fiennes and Comer received plenty of praise from critics, but Williams stole the show, with Slate writing: ‘Acting opposite such powerhouses as Fiennes and the ever-excellent Comer, Williams delivers a vivid performance.’
Meanwhile, Perri Nemiroff summarised on her YouTube channel: ‘Not only is 28 Years Later well worth the wait, but the story benefits from the lengthy gap between instalments. It delivers big with Rage Virus-sparked tension and action, but also takes an unexpected turn that’s staggeringly refreshing and effective.’
Williams, Fiennes, and O’Connell return to their roles in The Bone Temple, which takes place directly after the events of 28 Years Later.
A synopsis for the upcoming film teases what fans can expect, reading: ‘Expanding upon the world created by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland in 28 Years Later – but turning that world on its head – Nia DaCosta directs 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
‘In a continuation of the epic story, Dr Kelson (Fiennes) finds himself in a shocking new relationship – with consequences that could change the world as they know it – and Spike’s (Williams) encounter with Jimmy Crystal (O’Connell) becomes a nightmare he can’t escape.
‘In the world of The Bone Temple, the infected are no longer the greatest threat to survival – the inhumanity of the survivors can be stranger and more terrifying.’
28 Years Later is streaming now on NOW TV. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is released in UK cinemas on January 14
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