'28 Years Later' Is an Incredibly Tense, Thoroughly Fascinating Zombie Tale
28 Years Later is never exactly 'scary,' but it's constantly uncomfortable. Director Danny Boyle, returning to the franchise he helped create along with writer Alex Garland, tells this latest zombie tale with a kinetic and engrossing filmmaking style that makes even the most mundane actions unsettling. A walk through the woods. A splash of water. The rising of the sun. You'll never jump out of your seat, but you'll be on the edge of it the entire time, and we think that's a whole lot more rewarding.
Set, you guessed it, 28 years after the 'Rage virus' took over the United Kingdom in the 2002 original, 28 Years Later centers on a nice but troubled family living in a safe, isolated community. While the mainland is filled with infected and has been quarantined from the rest of the world, this place is accessible only by a small walkway visible for a few hours a day. That's how young Spike (Alfie Williams), his mom Isla (Jodie Comer), dad Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), and the rest of the bustling, happy community have remained safe for decades.
For a good third of 28 Years Later, you don't know exactly what the story is going to be. We follow Jamie taking Spike to the mainland for the first time as a way to introduce us to them as people and the world at large. They see slow, fat zombies and fast, fit zombies, and even though the movie takes a good long while to fully reveal itself, it's constantly engaging thanks to our interest in the world and the specificity of the characters. We want to learn and see more about all of it.
That's also bolstered by Boyle's filmmaking, which brings back so many of his trademark techniques—jump cuts, pulse-pounding music, sound, and purposeful B-roll—to create a palpable unease that also keeps your mind working. We're watching a father and son bond, but also thinking about this world from a multitude of different angles, all while chewing off our fingernails with dread. It's a potent combination.
Eventually, the film does find a focus, and it involves Comer's character, Isla. She's sick, and Spike is desperate to find her help, which takes them on a whole new adventure. Here's where both Comer and especially Williams really get to flex their acting muscles. Williams may just be a kid but he's a dynamic presence and easily carries the movie. However, once they become the focus, 28 Years Later does shift a bit. Boyle's hyper-energetic style gets dialed back, almost in tandem with the more nurturing relationship between mother and son as opposed to son and father. It's here that we both get to see Spike and Isla in a different light, but it's enough of a change that it's not immediately cohesive.
Something that does keep everything cohesive, though, is the action and violence. You can't have a movie filled with tension and dread without some payoffs and Boyle gives us plenty of those in the film. There are big battles, exciting chases, and quick moments of intensity all of which come at a moment's notice. Plus, any time there's a kill—be it human or zombie—it's handled with care. With each gory murder, the film slows down for a beat, and even throws in a freeze frame on the moment of death, just so we understand the value of life on both sides. It's a fun and effective tool that's used throughout and you really feel like you're in the hands of a filmmaker with something to say.
Later, through circumstances that are a little spoilery, Ralph Fiennes joins the story as the mysterious Dr. Kelson. Kelson's story is a fascinating one, giving both the film and its world a whole new perspective, which Fiennes brings to life beautifully. His introduction also marks yet another shift in the film, this one into an almost spiritual existentialism. It's welcome, it works, but it again adds to the film's slight unevenness after we've become acclimated to the mother-son story.
That's really the only downside to 28 Years Later. The characters are fantastic, the filmmaking is breathtaking, the action is intense, and the story is emotional. It's just so ambitious that there are just moments along the way where those shifts leave the film feeling slightly disjointed, almost like you turned the channel to something new. Anytime it happens, though, after a few minutes of confusion, we settle back in because everything else around it is so good.
There are also scenes and ideas in the movie that I don't think I've ever seen explored in a zombie film before. What would 28 years without humans do to an ecosystem? What human mistakes may have lingered over that time? What, if any, human traits do the zombies still carry with them? Is there a zombie pecking order? 28 Years Later consistently fires on all cylinders but then also hits you with a moment or idea that pushes things to a whole new level, and you almost wish there was a whole movie just about that.
28 Years Later isn't your typical zombie movie. The zombies in this world are an unfortunate, undeniable reality and, over the course of 28 years, they've evolved, as have the surviving humans. As a result, everything has a more grounded, relatable feel about it, which makes it that much more thrilling. Boyle and Garland then allow us to explore this world and its characters in a manner that keeps us interested, guessing, and entertained all at the same time. While the ending isn't as strong as the rest of the film, thankfully, this is the first film of a proposed trilogy, the second of which is out in January. We can't wait to go back. There's still so, so much to chew on.
28 Years Later opens June 20.
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Ahead of the couple's 13th anniversary in 2024, royal biographer Robert Jobson told HELLO! that the date was "a testament to not only their love, but also their unity." As "their strength lies in being together," Jobson said, "the ups and downs they have weathered together have cemented their bond, which is now unshakeable." He continued, "Catherine has done her best to stick to a routine for the sake of the children. She and William know the importance of taking each day as it comes. It was a huge blow when they first learned of the diagnosis, but they are both mentally strong. Without doubt, it has brought the couple even closer together." Better yet, Kate slowly returned to the spotlight, her schedule streamlined but her engagements reminiscent of previous years as she took Charlotte to Wimbledon last July, attended the Festival of Remembrance in November and hosted her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey. Though like any couple whose schedules are mapped out months in advance, she and William have had to learn how to adjust on the fly. "Life as you know it can change in an instant and we've had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown," Kate, sharing that she'd completed chemotherapy, said in a September video message. "The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything." In honor of their two decades as a couple, keep reading to see Kate and William's sweetest moments: Blush and BashfulThey Still Got GameJingle Bell RoyalsMonarch Approved(Originally published April 28, 2024, at 9 p.m. PT)
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Parents' Social Dilemma—Is It Ever OK To Bring an Uninvited Sibling to a Birthday Party?
As a mom of six, I am constantly juggling schedules: I'll drop this one at dance class on my way to taking my other one to swim practice. And then my husband can take our son to the birthday party—but what to do with our preschooler and the baby? Given my daily balancing act, when I recently received an invitation that said siblings were welcome to join the celebration, I breathed a sigh of relief. For once, I didn't have to worry about what to do with my littles so that an older kiddo could attend a party. It's a delicate scenario for parents to navigate, and one that's getting a lot of attention on the parenting community forum Mumset, based out of the United Kingdom, where one parent asked a key question. "Am I being unreasonable to think it's outrageous to bring a sibling to a party and then put them on the table to eat with all the kids that were actually invited. Then take cake and party bag for them!? I would never do this but I don't know if I'm being mean about it." In a poll on the post, 95% voted that this parent is NOT being unreasonable. Supporters of the original poster commented: "People who do that are very entitled. It's almost like invites need to have a disclaimer on them." "I think even asking if the siblings can come is cheeky." Agree - really bad manners to do this. But other commenters raise a very valid point: child care. It's just not always possible to have someone else look after a sibling while your other child attends the party. That's where our experts come in. Wondering if siblings can tag along to a birthday party is a relatable dilemma for many busy parents. According to experts, the answer depends on many factors, such as how well you know the host, the venue, and the age of the birthday child. Of course, Genevieve Dreizen, a modern-day etiquette and boundaries expert and COO and co-founder of Fresh Starts Registry, says when in doubt, a good rule of thumb is just to bring the child who is invited. But if you find yourself in a bind with child care, clear, honest communication is the best policy—just don't wait until the last minute. You want to allow the host time to plan ahead, according to Olivia Pollock, Evite's Etiquette & Hosting Expert. 'It's totally OK to say something like, 'We'd love to come, but I don't have childcare that day—would it be okay if I brought little Joey?'' she tells Parents. Just be sure to respect the host's wishes. 'While some hosts lean into 'the more the merrier,' others might have specific budgets or be limited due to venue space,' Pollock says. Remember, cautions Dreizen, the host has a lot on their plate with planning and throwing the party, and whether you can find child care shouldn't add to their burden. That said, according to Jo Hayes, etiquette and parenting consultant, speech-language pathologist, and founder of when it's a party for younger children, a host may know to expect that siblings may attend. 'If it's for a 4-year-old, with parents expected or likely to stay, there's a strong likelihood the invitation is somewhat 'open,' with younger siblings potentially welcome,' she says. We all make mistakes! If you show up to a party with a sibling and it feels awkward, again, be honest. 'Apologize to the host, and let them know you miscalculated,' Dreizen counsels. Pollock advises offering to help out with handing out snacks or juice boxes to make up for the imposition. 'Being extra grateful and courteous can make even the most awkward situations not a big deal,' she says. It definitely helps to specify on an invitation whether siblings are included to prevent a faux pas from happening in the first place. 'The best parties are the ones where everyone knows what to expect,' says Pollock. When extra guests aren't included, she suggests adding a short note to the invite, such as, 'Due to space limitations, we can't accommodate siblings—thanks for understanding!' Indeed, as Hayes points out, ''Siblings not welcome' sounds rather impolite!' If another parent shows up with more little ones in tow than you planned for, Pollock's advice is to lead with grace. 'If the sibling's presence won't derail your plans, smile, roll with it, and file it under 'parenting happens,'' she says. If the addition does impact your plans—for instance, you only had enough pottery pieces for the invited kids to paint—experts say it's alright to set boundaries and let the parent know your situation. 'Just try to treat each other with respect and kindness,' says Dreizen. 'There should be an understanding from both the hosts and those invited that we are all trying to do our best.' Read the original article on Parents
