28 Years Later (2025)

Danny Boyle is a director not short of classic films, and 28 Days Later (2002) is up there with his best. I was also a fan of 28 Weeks Later (2007) which, while it did not hit the heights of its predecessor, had a lot to like. So, I was excited when a new addition to the series was announced. Not excited enough to actually get my arse up and watch it when it was in cinemas, but you know, still excited. Well, in the time since 28 Years Later (2025) was released (and its sequel was released) it seems to have split opinion, with some people really connecting with it and others thinking it is pretty crap. Where do I sit in this debate?

Well without sounding like a boring fence sitter, I do fall right bang in the middle of those two sides. I think there is a lot to like about this film. Stylistically I think it is really trying to do something to stand out and be interesting. While it doesn’t always work, especially with some of the editing choices, I think there is enough here to keep the film visually interesting throughout. And the same can be said about the narrative of the film. Again, there is a lot of interesting elements that are here, especially all the stuff involving Ralph Fiennes who is the standout aspect of the whole film. But the film in both its style and its narrative seems a little lost in itself, not entirely sure where it wants to go or what it wants to be. This is especially true when it comes to the end of the film which is such tonal whiplash that I was genuinely taken aback while watching it. But, with all that said, I can’t say I wasn’t entertained. It definitely has its problems, and it doesn’t feel like it quite knows what it wants to be, but it has enough for me that meant I enjoyed myself. And it also has a really great score and soundtrack which should not go unsaid.