Over two decades after the original film, the third installment in the '28 Days Later' franchise, titled '28 Years Later', is set to release soon, reigniting excitement among longtime fans and attracting a new generation of viewers.
Exciting Trailer Release
The trailer for '28 Years Later' premiered recently and quickly gained massive attention with 2.4 million views on YouTube within 15 hours and ranking #2 on trending, indicating strong anticipation for the film set in the same universe.
Story Premise
'28 Years Later' continues the saga nearly three decades after the rogue 'rage' virus outbreak. The story follows a group of survivors living on a quarantined island connected to the mainland by a heavily defended causeway, where one member embarks on a mission to explore horrors and mysteries on the mainland, confronting mutated infected and humans alike.
How the Franchise Started
The franchise began in 2002 with the film '28 Days Later', directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland. It features Cillian Murphy waking up in an abandoned London after a viral outbreak called 'Rage' that turns humans into aggressive, infected beings who are alive but controlled by the virus.
Unique Aspect of the Virus
Unlike traditional zombies, the infected in the series are living humans overtaken by the Rage virus, making them fast and aggressive rather than undead. Boyle clarified this distinction early on to differentiate the story from conventional zombie lore.
Inspiration Behind the Script
Alex Garland’s script was inspired by real social issues like road rage and societal violence, using medical imagery from rabies cases to develop the look and behavior of the infected, aiming to ground the horror in real-world fears rather than supernatural themes.
The Sequel: 28 Weeks Later
The 2007 sequel focused on military attempts to reclaim a virus-ravaged London, continuing consequences of the Rage virus outbreak. It introduced more action elements and starred actors like Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner, and Idris Elba. It wasn’t as impactful as the first but maintained a dedicated fan base.
The New Film Cast
'28 Years Later' features Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer, and others, raising excitement around the continuity and new additions to the beloved franchise.
