28 Years After has arrived, and it’s garnering positive responses from critics. With a rating of over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, this sequel delves into a world filled with uncontrollable rage that is unlike any other seen before in the franchise. Although the zombies remain as lethal as ever, some aspects of the new movie don’t quite reach the high standards set by both 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later. Unfortunately, compared to the captivating stories told in the past, the introduction of 28 Years After appears somewhat lacking for several reasons.
Before we dive into our discussion, remember that if you haven’t watched “28 Years Later” in the cinema, be aware that the following article may reveal significant spoilers. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and examine the precursors of “28 Years Later,” which have made a lasting impact on the horror genre.
In “28 Days Later,” we were first introduced to the rage virus that brought about doomsday for Great Britain, all starting from an attempt by environmentalists to free captive chimps. The sequel, “28 Weeks Later,” intensified the horror with its focus on a father’s harrowing tale of abandoning his wife to her death at the hands of the infected. Despite setting up a chilling premise, the latest zombie film doesn’t fully deliver on its promise.
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Teletubbies’ Revenge
28 Years Later presents an initially unsettling premise: instead of following escaped chimps or a husband escaping impending doom, this horror sequel centers around a group of children witnessing the end of the world. Seated in front of a television playing Teletubbies, the children are instructed to stay still as their mother tries to protect them from an unstoppable nightmare. The scene unfolds with brief moments showing older children grasping the reality of the situation, tears streaming down their faces, and chilling sounds resonating outside as the world begins to disintegrate around them.
Initially, the infected enter the room, resulting in most of the children either perishing or becoming infected, while one child manages to flee by evading the horde. We later learn that this boy had a priest for a father who was overjoyed at the arrival of the infected, viewing it as a long-awaited sign of “judgment day.” Due to his madness, the priest willingly succumbs to the rage zombies, allowing the boy to escape into the unknown. However, this opening scene falls short in comparison to the previous films, and there are several factors contributing to its underwhelming performance.
28 Years Later’s Opening Faults
Initially, this introduction presents a unique blend of fear and letdown in its organization. The perspective of watching the end times unfold from the eyes of a petrified group of children is an uncommon portrayal in zombie entertainment, mainly because it’s so unsettling for viewers. However, the horror experience isn’t fully realized due to the rapid intrusion and elimination of the children by the zombies. Regrettably, the pacing of the narrative doesn’t engage audiences effectively as we follow an unnamed boy towards his father, a character who seems to have little significance in the main plot of “28 Years Later”.
In both “28 Days Later” and “28 Weeks Later,” the openings significantly shaped their narratives, paving the way for the events that unfolded later. However, the introduction of “28 Years Later” offers a chilling glimpse into how the world collapsed, yet it seems somewhat detached from the rest of the film, structurally speaking. While it’s clear that “28 Years Later” is superior in many aspects compared to its predecessors, I’m not convinced that the same can be said for its opening scene. There’s an argument to be made that the intro of “28 Years Later” might tie into its sequel, but here, it had little impact on the story presented.
As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that the chilling survival horror saga, “28 Years Later,” is currently gracing our big screens. Mark your calendars for an unforgettable cinematic experience, as “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” is set to premiere in theaters on January 16, 2026. Don’t miss out!
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2025-06-20 19:42