28 Days Later | 2002
"28 Days Later" is a 2002 British post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland. The film tells the story of a bicycle courier, Jim, who wakes up from a coma to find society has collapsed due to the accidental release of a highly contagious virus that induces aggression. It features supporting performances from Naomi Harris, Christopher Eccleston, Megan Burns, and Brendan Gleeson.
Garland was inspired by George A. Romero's "Night of the Living Dead" film series and John Wyndham's 1951 novel "The Day of the Triffids." Filming took place in various locations in the UK in 2001. The crew shot in the early morning for short periods, temporarily closing roads to make busy areas appear deserted. John Murphy composed the film's original soundtrack, which also includes instrumental pieces by other artists such as Brian Eno and Godspeed You! Black Emperor.
"28 Days Later" was released on November 1, 2002, receiving critical acclaim and financial success. With a modest budget of $8 million, it grossed over $82.7 million worldwide, making it one of the most profitable horror films of 2002. Critics praised Boyle's direction, the cast's performances, Garland's screenplay, the atmosphere, and the soundtrack. Although Boyle did not consider the film a zombie movie, "28 Days Later" is credited with revitalizing the zombie genre in horror films and influencing the resurgence of the genre a decade later. The film has been included in several "best films" lists since its release and has maintained a significant fanbase, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic of the 2020s.
The film's success spawned a series of films titled "28 Weeks Later" (2007) and "28 Years Later," set to be released in 2025. Additional sequels are currently in development, and a graphic novel titled "28 Days Later: Aftermath" and a comic series "28 Days Later" from 2009-2011 have also expanded the series into other media.
The highly contagious and aggressive "Rage Virus" spreads across the UK after an infected chimpanzee is released from captivity by animal rights activists. Shortly after releasing the infected chimp, one of the activists becomes infected and immediately transmits the virus to others, becoming patient zero of the outbreak. The virus rapidly spreads throughout the UK, leading to a total societal collapse.
Twenty-eight days after the initial outbreak, bicycle courier Jim wakes up from a coma in St. Thomas' Hospital in London, which is completely abandoned and shows signs of disaster. Wandering the streets of London, Jim enters a church and is chased by infected humans. He is rescued by survivors Selena and Mark, who take him to a shop in the street. At Jim's request, they walk to Jim's parents' house in Deptford, where Jim learns that his parents committed suicide and left a letter praying he would not wake up. They decide it is too late to return to their shelter and spend the night there. While others are asleep, Jim lights a candle and recalls family photos and memories, inadvertently attracting the infected with the light. Shortly after, Mark is exposed to infected blood during an attack, and Selena kills him before he can turn.
Jim and Selena meet taxi driver Frank and his daughter Hannah at Balfron Tower, where they hear about military broadcasts providing protection in a quarantine zone in Manchester. As supplies dwindle, Frank asks Jim and Selena to join him in the quarantine zone, and they agree. They take Frank's taxi to Manchester, but upon arrival, the quarantine zone is empty. While the group struggles to plan their next move, Frank becomes infected when a drop of infected blood falls into his eye. Soldiers soon arrive and immediately shoot Frank.
The remaining survivors are taken to a fortified mansion commanded by Colonel Henry West. However, the promised safety from the soldiers is a deception, and West reveals to Jim that the broadcasts are meant to lure female survivors into sexual slavery. West attempts to shoot Jim and Sergeant Farrell, but while Farrell distracts him, Jim escapes. Hiding among the corpses, Jim sees airplane trails in the sky, confirming for the first time the existence of outside survivors. After luring West out of the mansion, Jim frees an infected soldier, Mailer, who causes all of West's soldiers to either die or become infected. Jim, Selena, and Hannah try to escape in Frank's taxi, but West hides in the back seat and shoots Jim. Hannah reverses the taxi, allowing Mailer to pull West out and kill him, and the three survivors flee in the taxi.
Another 28 days later, Jim recovers in a remote cabin in the woods, where infected people lie on the road, weak and starving. An RAF Hawker Hunter fighter jet flies overhead, and Jim, Selena, and Hannah unfurl a large banner that says "HELLO." The three survivors look up at the plane with optimism, watching as the pilot spots them.
