28 Years Later Subverts One Major Element of 28 Days Later

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28 Years Afterward shifts the horror series into uncharted territory by reworking a significant plot point from the original film, 28 Days Later. Directors Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, who previously worked together on 28 Days Later, return for 28 Years Afterward, having skipped the second installment, 28 Weeks Later. Set almost three decades following the outbreak of the Rage Virus in the United Kingdom, 28 Years Afterward focuses on an isolated island, where Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), his wife Isla (Jodie Comer), and their son Spike (Alfie Williams) live with other townspeople. As Isla’s condition deteriorates, Alfie decides to take her to the mainland in search of Dr. Kelson’s aid (Ralph Fiennes), who is said to have lost his mind amidst the post-apocalyptic quarantine zone.

Essentially, the movie “28 Years Later” differs greatly from Boyle’s initial film, particularly in its portrayal of humans as being just as, if not more, dangerous than the infected. In contrast to the first movie, “28 Days Later”, where Jim (Cillian Murphy), Selena (Naomie Harris), and Hannah (Megan Burns) discover a supposed safe haven offering protection from the Rage Virus, only to find out that Major Henry West (Christopher Eccleston) and his troops were actually luring women for the purpose of sexual slavery. The movie concludes with a distressing scene where Jim fights to save Selena and Hannah from these soldiers, while an infected individual breaks free and attacks. However, unlike its predecessor, “28 Years Later” initially seems to follow the same narrative pattern (through Dr. Kelson), but it holds a surprising and touching twist in store.

28 Years Later Changes 28 Days Later‘s Big Plot Twist

Initially, when Spike learns that a doctor resides nearby amidst the infected, he insists on learning more from his father. Jamie, growing impatient with the inquiries, dismisses Dr. Kelson as insane. A series of flashbacks depict Dr. Kelson overseeing piles of corpses awaiting cremation. Upon encountering Dr. Kelson on the mainland for the first time, Spike and Isla find him protecting them from an infected creature. He then guides them to his temple adorned with human bones and skulls. At this point in 28 Years Later, the narrative takes a surprising twist as subsequent events portray Dr. Kelson as a deeply compassionate (even if eccentric) character, who respects both the deceased infected and uninfected individuals.

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Beyond this, Dr. Kelson guides Spike and Isla through the concept of death and shields them from the infected, disproving the notion that he’s a monster as viewers might have assumed. He shares with them the Latin phrase “memento mori,” which means “remember you will die,” to underscore the significance of living a life filled with love and kindness. A compassionate individual, Dr. Kelson offers Spike, Isla, and even a newborn from an infected mother a sanctuary amidst the chaos. For Spike, Dr. Kelson presents a novel viewpoint, contrasting sharply with his father’s ruthless “kill or be killed” mentality. Dr. Kelson also provides Isla with the care she never received before, breaking the news of her terminal cancer and ensuring her passing is peaceful. In the post-apocalyptic world of 28 Days Later, Dr. Kelson revises the notion of survival. Unlike Jamie and the Swedish soldier Erik, he subdues instead of slaughtering his adversaries. Unlike Major West in 28 Days Later, Dr. Kelson accepts strangers without hidden motives.

In the movie “28 Days Later,” the leading soldiers’ journey bears a striking resemblance to Spike and Isla’s meeting with Dr. Kelson in “28 Years Later.” However, the conclusions of these two situations are strikingly different. Interestingly, Dr. Kelson proves to be the exact opposite of the military forces, providing a clever twist on expectations and themes. This twist gives “28 Years Later” an unique narrative that presents strangers as sources of help, solace, and companionship rather than threats, as portrayed in stories about the most isolated people. Given Ralph Fiennes’ history of playing formidable movie villains, one might anticipate Dr. Kelson to be a menace in “28 Years Later,” but once more, the film masterfully defies these assumptions.

28 Years Later Succeeds by Deviating From Past Movies

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’d say that what makes “28 Years Later” shine so brightly compared to its predecessors in the franchise is its daring departure from the established formula. Unlike other legacy sequels like “Jurassic World” and “Gladiator II,” which often fall short by trying to replicate their originals without introducing anything fresh, “28 Years Later” carves out a unique identity for itself. Despite some inconsistencies in its tone, Danny Boyle’s continuation effectively preserves the raw violence, palpable tension, and deeply emotional elements that defined “28 Days Later.

Dr. Kelson is an unexpectedly remarkable character, portrayed skillfully by Fiennes, who brings both sincerity and a touch of humor to make him distinctive. The emotional scenes between Dr. Kelson, Spike, and Isla are particularly effective, providing a contrast to the grim, war-like opening of the movie, resulting in a moving, bloodless finale for the story of 28 Years Later. Since the story of 28 Years Later is set so far into the future, it’s fitting that the film delves into a fresh aspect of isolationism during the outbreak. Dr. Kelson’s departure from typical non-infected monster and mad doctor stereotypes serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion and human connection in challenging situations.

28 Years Ago was just released in theaters, while you can watch 28 Days Later for free right now on Pluto TV!

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2025-06-23 19:10