We got invited to attend the private pre-screening of 28 Years Later, thanks to the amazing team at Iconique Brands and Nu Metro – throughout this review, we will have an amazing experience showcased. But let’s get to the quick review of the film.
Film hits emotional heights
It has been 28 years since the outbreak began—specifically, since a deadly mutation of the rage virus escaped from a lab in England, turning those infected into creatures driven by an insatiable hunger for blood and flesh. The UK has endured nearly three decades of quarantine, witnessing a swift collapse of civilization and a return to a rural existence devoid of technology and modern comforts. In this new world, Jamie and Spike, a father and son, reside in a small community on an island that is accessible to the mainland only during low tide.
Jamie has decided to introduce his son, just twelve years old, to what happens beyond their small island, he wants him to be prepared to face the merciless world that is on the other side of the sea, making him grow up quickly. Waiting for them at home is Isla , the boy’s mother, suffering from a disease that forces her to bed due to strong migraines that make her at times not lucid and confused. – Later on we find out what she has and how Spike must navigate the world now with the knowledge of his mother’s illness.
Memento mori
The human narrative in 28 Years Later is surprisingly captivating on its own, and unlike the wider exploration of this universe, it remains impressively self-contained. Fiennes truly takes charge in the film’s third act with an intriguing interpretation of Dr. Kelson’s mysterious, whose looming tributes to death create some of the film’s most memorable visuals.
In a world where one’s essence isn’t defined by mere existence but by the love and impact one shares during their lifetime. “Memento mori, Memento amoris,” he reflects, echoing the profound words of a captivating character.
If rage marked the onset of the virus outbreak, grief and sorrow now serves as a beacon amid its enduring consequences. In the face of overwhelming brutality, death is approached with a surprising gentleness that elevates 28 Years Later to new emotional depths within its genre.
ENRICOH’s THOUGHTS
Just wow. I’m still buzzing from the pure wonder and fascination this film delivered. Especially knowing that large parts of it were shot on iPhones. Like… what?! It felt like a full-on cinematic experience from start to finish. The shots were clean, emotional, sometimes even haunting. There were moments I literally forgot it wasn’t a big studio film. You could feel the intentionality in every frame. It wasn’t just about cool visuals; it was about how those visuals made you feel. It had grit, intimacy, and this raw beauty to it that just worked. And knowing it was shot on a phone? That’s a level of creativity that deserves serious respect.
What really stuck with me, though, was the symbolism. The way memento mori was woven through the story made it more than just a horror flick. It was a reminder of how fragile everything is, how close we always are to losing it all. That message hit deep. And then that final scene… man. I was clapping, slapping my legs, grinning like an actual kid in the front row. It was so sick to watch. Just pure joy. I didn’t think it would hit me the way it did, but it delivered something that felt big and earned.
28 Years Later is out now at Cinemas. Be sure to get the VIP treatment at Numetro.
Director: Danny Boyle
Screenplay: Julius Onah, Peter Glanz, Matthew Orton
Writer: Alex Garland
Cast: Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams, Ralph Fiennes
Producers: Danny Boyle, Alex Garland, Andrew Macdonald, Peter Rice, Bernie Bellew
Rating: 18 D H L N V
Distributor(s): Sony Pictures Releasing
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The Review
28 Years Later
Just wow. I’m still buzzing from the pure wonder and fascination this film delivered. Especially knowing that large parts of it were shot on iPhones. Like… what?! It felt like a full-on cinematic experience from start to finish. The shots were clean, emotional, sometimes even haunting. There were moments I literally forgot it wasn’t a big studio film. You could feel the intentionality in every frame. It wasn’t just about cool visuals; it was about how those visuals made you feel. It had grit, intimacy, and this raw beauty to it that just worked. And knowing it was shot on a phone? That’s a level of creativity that deserves serious respect.
