28 Years Later (2025)

It was always going to be hard to match the sheer impact and power of 28 Days Later, but a returning Danny Boyle and Alex Garland do the impossible with 28 Years Later. A powerful character drama about life and death against the backdrop of a gorgeously overgrown Scottish countryside, 28 Years Later inspires just as much awe and heartbreak as it does thrills and scares. Bolstered by tremendous performances (especially Alfie Williams in the lead role), 28 Years Later is ambitious and personal, visually striking and deeply haunting. It's a genuine horror masterpiece.

28 Years Later is not an easy movie to categorize. It’s not what you expect at all, and interestingly, it has two pretty distinct storylines, with the film switching vibes halfway through. Yes, there are zombies. But that isn’t really what 28 Years Later is about. Instead, it’s asking bigger questions about what unites us as humans, as communities, and as families. It reminds me of movies like Children of Men more than a horror film. It’s a family drama and a coming-of-age story. 28 Years Later has moved beyond the horror and is a surprisingly deep, thoughtful film about humanity.