This Year’s Most Anticipated Zombie Movie Launches on Rotten Tomatoes with an Almost Perfect Score

The third installment in the post-apocalyptic horror saga, 28 Years Later, is set to premiere on June 20, 2025. Directed by Danny Boyle, who helmed the 2002 classic 28 Days Later, and written by Alex Garland, the film reunites key original crew members, including cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle.

The cast features Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams, and Ralph Fiennes. Early reviews give it a 95% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics lauding its gripping story and intense atmosphere.

While 28 Weeks Later explored post-7/7 paranoia, this post-Brexit successor seems to be as much about the insanity of isolationism as it is the bewildering madness of COVID

Jordan Bassett NME (New Musical Express)

Only Danny Boyle could pull off a film with a zany visual language that sees zombies as an allegory for a family’s domestic struggles.

Katie Doll CBR

One of the most triumphant ever revitalisations of a franchise that transcends the idea of mere genre. 28 Years Later is a brutally moving film, and the first horror movie to make me cry… It’s also a phenomenal piece of cinema.

Tori Brazier Metro

Of all the things I expected going into 28 Years Later, the last thing on my mind was beauty. But here it is in abundance. Bounding far beyond the premise of most zombie movies, Boyle and Garland continually push our expectations onto the back foot.

Stephen A. Russell ScreenHub

Though it’s more of a reboot than a sequel, 28 Years Later pays homage to the original film without sacrificing its originality & fresh spirit.

Mary Kassel Screen Rant

The film continues the series’ tradition of raw, visceral horror, set in a world ravaged by infection. While most reviewers hailed its visuals and strong performances, some found fault with its uneven tone, calling it slow and overly ambitious.

They noted it struggled to balance paying homage to the original while chasing modern trends, leading to a messy narrative that didn’t fully resonate.

The otherwise visually stunning and well-acted horror mostly misses the mark.

Casey Chong Casey’s Movie Mania

For all the possible directions this narrative could have taken, you can’t help but wonder why this is the one the filmmakers landed on.

Emma Vine Loud and Clear Reviews

Boyle and Garland are obviously entitled to add a smirk or two, but they can have no complaints if the muddled tone flies over the heads of audience members.

Hilary A White Irish Independent

28 Years Later tries hard to outpace the original film and keep up with the culture at large, but instead it lumbers slowly behind.

Rafer Guzman Newsday

Plans for the franchise’s future are already in motion. In April 2024, Nia DaCosta was tapped to direct the next chapter, envisioned as part of a trilogy. Boyle, Garland, and producer Andrew Macdonald will oversee the project.

A copyright filing in June 2024 hinted at the title 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple for the sequel. Macdonald confirmed at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on August 18, 2024, that DaCosta’s film began shooting the following day, with hopes for a third movie to complete the trilogy.

28 Years Later sounds like a thrilling return to a beloved series, with Boyle and Garland’s vision keeping the horror fresh. The high Rotten Tomatoes score is promising, but the mixed reviews on pacing and tone make me curious about how it balances nostalgia with new ideas.

A trilogy could be exciting if it stays focused. What do you think about 28 Years Later and its place in the franchise? Share your thoughts in the comments below!