Danny Boyle‘s second directorial effort in the 28 Days Later film franchise is finally here, following his initial hit release in 2002, and it’s not everything fans wished for. A sequel to the second installment, 28 Weeks Later (2007), 28 Years Later revolves around the few survivors on the island of Lindisfarne after the second outbreak of the Rage Virus. The entry is filled with gory moments, but many franchise fans think it doesn’t live up to the innovative pattern that made the first two films special.
Recapturing the magic of a beloved original movie is never an easy feat. As such, there’s a reasonable amount of risk involved in reviving a franchise after several years of hitting the jackpot with the first film. Although it did a good job of expanding the franchise’s storyline by introducing the Alpha variant and zombie mom, 28 Years Later falls victim to some critical issues. Nevertheless, it sports a stellar cast, including Jodie Comer (Isla), Alfie Williams (Spike), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Jamie), and Ralph Fiennes (Dr. Ian Kelson).
28 Years Later Fell Victim to Numerous Delays
Shortly after 28 Weeks Later hit the theaters in April 2007, plans for the next movie began, but it took 18 years for Boyle’s 28 Years Later to be released. The entry was delayed by several factors, including conflicts surrounding film rights. Consequently, the film was relegated to development hell for almost two decades. Production picked up steam after producer Andrew Macdonald bought the rights to the first film from Searchlight Pictures and sold it to Sony Pictures.
With Macdonald, Alex Garland, Anthony Dod Mantle, and Boyle back on the crew list, production gained traction. Cillian Murphy, who starred in the first film, also joined the production crew as executive producer. 28 Years Later was finally released on June 20, 2025, 18 years after its predecessor hit the theaters. The film mostly received positive reviews, grossing over $150 million against a $60 million budget. However, some franchise fans think 28 Years Later is not a worthy entry in the series.
28 Years Later Has Been Panned For Lacking Depth
With Boyle returning to the director’s chair for this third installment, fans of the 28 Days Later movie franchise had high hopes about the entry. A captivating trailer released in April 2025 added to the excitement. Sadly, the movie left a trail of disappointed fans after its release. 28 Years Later explores themes of anger, love, loss, and fear. However, the almost two-hour-long runtime failed to achieve the empathetic effect the plot elicits.
Despite the bountiful gore in the movie, numerous viewers critically panned it for not having the true essence of horror. In his review on Rotten Tomatoes, The Wall Street Journal’s Kyle Smith described the movie as a stinker that “carries the fragrance of a zombie underarm.” Analyzing for The Detroit News, Adam Graham rated the movie with a D, describing it as “an uneven mix of horror movie gnarliness and human melancholia that never finds even ground or a consistent tone.” He added that the franchise shouldn’t have been revived.
28 Years Later began at a fast pace, gradually slowing down and then picking up at random, without really engaging the viewers. The plot comes across as thin and lacks depth to justify the movie’s generous length. There’s also a touch of inconsistent storytelling that makes it difficult for viewers to connect to the characters. Nevertheless, the movie introduces some innovative arcs to the zombie genre. The presence of an Alpha, a kind of superzombie who leads the pack, is a nice twist to the plot. There’s also the idea of zombie procreation without passing the infection to the newborn.
What to Know About the Fourth Film in the 28 Days Later Series
28 Years Later‘s ending sets up a sequel, titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which is already in the pipeline. The movie was shot back-to-back with its predecessor and is scheduled for release on January 16, 2026. The ending of 28 Years Later introduces the next chapter in the franchise and Spike’s possible adventure with his new friends. As such, it’s safe to say that 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple will likely focus on Spike’s life after leaving home and his efforts to heal from losing his mother.
Nia DaCosta is directing 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple with Garland serving as the screenwriter. There are two more movies in the works as part of a planned trilogy after 28 Years Later, all written by Garland. Boyle has confirmed his spot as the director in the final film in the trilogy. Thus, a sequel to The Bone Temple is in development, but no further details have been released.
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