• Director: Danny Boyle
• Screenplay: Alex Garland
• Cast: Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Alfie Williams, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell
• Cinematography: Anthony Dod Mantle
• Score: Young Fathers
• Genre: Post-apocalyptic horror
• Runtime: 115 minutes

It’s surely the most anticipated movie in yonks. The Rage virus swept across mainland Britain in ‘28 Days Later‘ and we saw the militarised state London became in the aftermath in ‘28 Weeks Later‘. Skipping the nixed ‘28 Months Later‘, and we’re now 28 years into the pandemic.

A community of survivors have established a town on Lindisfarne, known as Holy Island, off the coast of the north east of England. In a world devoid of modern trappings, the residents live a medieval-style existence. Fletchers craft arrows, which are used by the youngsters as part of target practice. As they shoot, footage of Laurence Olivier’s ‘Henry V‘ (1944) is intercut showing a bundle of arrows soaring into the sky, driving home the medieval theme. This disease has changed the way people operate; it’s a rustic way of life for folks. There is still order; they’ve not been reduced to savages the way the zombies have. I felt echoes of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced 5 years ago – we united, letting the earth heal.

Tonally, ‘28 Years‘ is more in line with the original film; an emotional, character-driven affair, with great performances from Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes and newcomer Alfie Williams. But be warned: this is the first in a new trilogy from the duo behind ‘28 Days‘, director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland, so don’t expect a quick resolution in this installment. Instead, rather disappointingly, it feels drawn out like the endless stretches of English countryside. Boyle’s sharp direction and an adequate amount of zombie killing kept me satisfied but I couldn’t help feel a tighter story, told in only a single picture, would’ve worked better. I’m relying on Garland to have the brains to realise his ambition.

While Danny Boyle has a breather (he helms part 3), Nia DaCosta takes over directing duties for the following chapter of the triad, ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple‘, slated for release next January.

My rating: 6 / 10