December 11, 2023: After nearly three decades, fans of the iconic post-apocalyptic zombie thriller 28 Days Later are finally getting a glimpse of the long-awaited sequel, 28 Years Later. The film has just released its first haunting trailer, setting the stage for a terrifying return to the world devastated by the Rage Virus.
Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, the duo behind the original 2002 cult classic, the film promises to reignite the chaos and fear that captivated audiences all those years ago. 28 Years Later is set to take place in a desolate, post-apocalyptic England, where society is attempting to rebuild after the horrors unleashed by the Rage Virus.
The trailer opens with a chilling version of Rudyard Kipling’s war poem “Boots” echoing over a haunting landscape of overgrown fields, suggesting both nature’s reclamation of the land and the ongoing desolation caused by the virus. Aaron Taylor-Johnson is seen roaming this eerie landscape with a bow and arrow in hand, possibly representing a new society struggling to survive amid the wreckage left by the viral outbreak.
A key moment in the trailer reveals the return of Cillian Murphy, who reprises his iconic role as Jim from the original film. However, this time, his character appears to have taken a darker, more sinister turn. Murphy’s zombified version of Jim is seen looming menacingly over Jodie Comer’s character, hinting at a world still haunted by the relentless horrors of the virus. Jim’s return is particularly significant as Murphy was notably absent in the 2007 follow-up, 28 Weeks Later.
The tagline for 28 Years Later—“Time didn’t heal anything”—serves as a stark reminder that while decades may have passed, the virus’s aftereffects continue to haunt the world’s survivors. The film promises to delve into the long-term trauma and unending struggle for survival in a post-Rage world.
Alongside Murphy’s return, 28 Years Later introduces a fresh cast of characters, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Erin Kellyman, and Jack O’Connell, each bringing new perspectives to a world on the brink of collapse. The film marks the beginning of a planned 28 Years Later trilogy, suggesting that this new chapter in the franchise will continue to explore the lingering horrors of the Rage Virus.
The film is produced by Columbia Pictures, in association with BFI, DNA Films, and Decibel Films. Alongside Boyle and Garland, producers Andrew MacDonald and Peter Rice are back to bring this chilling vision to the screen.
Fans can mark their calendars for the release date: June 20, 2025, when 28 Years Later will hit theaters and bring the world of infection, survival, and chaos back to the big screen. With its mix of returning faces and new blood, the film promises to deliver the same tense atmosphere and terrifying stakes that made the original film a genre-defining classic.
The wait for the next chapter in the 28 Days Later saga is almost over, and the trailer proves that the nightmare is far from over.
