Having only watched 28 Days Later (2002), the first movie in the trilogy that includes 28 Weeks Later (2007) and now, 28 Years Later (2025), just a few weeks ago, I had high hopes for the latest instalment. How could I not after the memorable trailers starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer and Alfie Williams?

Written by Alex Garland of Ex Machina (2004) and directed by Danny Boyle, 28 Years Later is my favourite of the three films set in a United Kingdom that has been taken over by a mysterious and incurable zombie virus, leaving just a handful of survivors.

It’s the great pacing, musical score, performances (by Comer in particular), visual effects, shooting style, cinematography and editing that places 28 Years Later at number one, for me. I appreciated the editing so much that for the first time in all my years of loving film, I took note of the editor’s (Jon Harris) name. 

I’m glad that even though 28 Years Later is partly a horror film, I didn’t see anything that resulted in nightmares. And, truth be told, Sinners may still be my favourite film of 2025, so far, but I’d say that 28 Years Later is at least in the top five. 

Watch Garland and Boyle’s latest for all the reasons above, and one more: the stunning alpha chase sequence. You know how much I enjoy a well-choreographed chase sequence.

Happy Film loving,

G