28 Days Later Writer Reveals Resident Evil’s Surprising Influence on Film

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In his recent disclosure, writer Alex Garland shared that the original Resident Evil game significantly impacted the creation of “28 Days Later.” Although zombies have been a recurring theme in various films, TV shows, and video games for decades, they’ve had to adapt substantially to remain relevant. For instance, “The Last of Us” features creatures similar to zombies, which are based on a real-life fungus called cordyceps, offering both a scientific rationale and a unique spin compared to other zombie apocalypse narratives. Similarly, “28 Days Later” was instrumental in transforming the way we perceive the zombie genre.

The low-budget horror movie significantly contributed to the notion that undead creatures could be more than just slow-moving monsters; they’d be scarier if they possessed some agility. Movies like “28 Days Later” and “28 Weeks Later,” directed by Danny Boyle, expanded the genre superbly due to Alex Garland. This innovative approach is expected to continue in the upcoming sequels titled “28 Years Later.” But where did this concept originate? How did Garland come up with the idea of reimagining zombies? The answer can be traced back to one of the most renowned video game franchises worldwide.

How Resident Evil Influenced 28 Days Later

In his latest chat with GQ, Alex Garland discussed some of his most memorable films and delved particularly into the creation of 28 Days Later. Garland shared that he was deeply impacted by the Resident Evil game on PlayStation, which led him to envision a zombie movie of his own. He mentioned that as he became adept at playing Resident Evil, he found the slow-moving zombies less frightening. Yet, it was still the speedy zombie dogs from Capcom’s horror game that truly unsettled him, inspiring him to create a fast-paced zombie movie.

Before he penned “28 Days Later,” Garland mentioned that there was a game on PlayStation titled “Resident Evil.” This game reminded him of his fondness for zombie films, and he thought, “I adore these movies, but it’s been a while since we had one.” Another idea struck him as he became proficient at the game. He noticed that while the zombies weren’t particularly scary because they could be easily defeated or outrun with a quick pace, there was something else in the game – the dogs. These dogs moved swiftly and occasionally startled him, and Garland believes this element of swift-moving canines might have sparked the concept for a fast-paced zombie movie. The fast-moving zombies, he thinks, originated from “Resident Evil.

Excitedly speaking as a fan here, Garland is set to unveil a series of sequels called “28 Years Later,” with the first installment dropping this summer! The second film, entitled “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,” is scheduled for release in early 2026. A third movie is also planned further down the line. Given the titles, it’s safe to assume that the action will unfold nearly three decades after the original flick, and we might just encounter some new, chilling iterations of those terrifying undead creatures we’ve grown to dread.

The upcoming trilogy and Sony’s reboot of Resident Evil directed by Zach Cregger will hit the big screen around the same time. While details about the project are scarce, it’s scheduled for release in September 2026, following a summer film shoot. There’s buzz that actors like Mikey Madison might be joining the new Resident Evil movie, though nothing is confirmed yet. Leaked plot outlines suggest that the movie may not follow any of the games directly, but it’s said to stay true to the Capcom series.

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2025-04-17 06:39