What Really Happened in 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later?

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For nearly two decades, it’s been rare to find a movie set in the post-apocalyptic universe depicted in 28 Days Later. However, this week, fans can revisit that grim portrayal of the United Kingdom once again with the new release, titled 28 Years Later.

According to its title, the movie unfolds some years following the original epidemic, introducing a fresh ensemble featuring Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. This film marks the beginning of a planned trilogy.

Additionally, this project reunites directors Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, who previously worked together on the initial film released in 2002. This may hint at several references or nods to the original movie for enthusiasts to enjoy.

In light of this, let me walk you through a comprehensive summary of “28 Days Later” and its 2007 sequel, “28 Weeks Later.” Please be advised that there are significant spoilers for both films ahead.

This way, the information is more conversational and easier to follow while still maintaining the original intent.

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28 Days Later recap

The movie starts off by detailing the origin of the fast-spreading virus: it all started when a band of animal rights activists liberated an infected chimpanzee from a lab in Cambridge. Once the virus started to multiply rapidly, societal breakdown occurred in a shockingly short timeframe within merely a few weeks.

From the title itself, events kick off 28 days later, introducing me – a dedicated cinephile – to Jim (Cillian Murphy), a bicycle courier who found himself in a coma due to a traffic accident right before the virus outbreak. I’m left stunned as he stirs from his hospital bed only to discover that the bustling streets of London are now eerily deserted and empty.

Following a pursuit by some zombie-like humans, our character finds refuge with survivors named Selena (played by Naomie Harris) and Mark (Noah Huntley). They consented to escort him to his parents’ home in Deptford, where he later discovers that his parents had taken their own lives. Upon lighting a candle, the undead are drawn to the house, resulting in Mark getting injured. Selena swiftly steps in to prevent the infection from spreading by killing Mark before it could fully take effect.

After receiving an improvised sign, Jim and Selena meet taxi driver Frank, played by Brendan Gleeson, along with his child Hannah (Megan Burns). They are informed by them about a radio broadcast detailing a refuge and redemption spot in Manchester. Consequently, they all journey towards this destination together.

Upon their arrival, they discover the place abandoned, and unfortunately, Frank gets infected when a droplet of blood from a nearby cadaver splashes into his eye. To make matters worse, hidden soldiers suddenly emerge and fatally shoot him.

It soon becomes clear that what appeared to be a safe haven was nothing but a deception. Major Henry West (Christopher Eccleston) had orchestrated the broadcast in order to entice female survivors into sexual bondage. However, when Jim and another soldier rejected this plan, the former was shot, and the latter escaped chaos ensuing from the altercation.

When Jim discovers evidence of life beyond their current world, he manages to divert West from his manor, with the intention of rescuing Mailer – a soldier carrying an infection – who was being monitored. By doing so, he allows Mailer to infect and eliminate the remaining soldiers.

In Frank’s taxi, Jim, Selena, and Hannah are attempting an escape, but as they flee, Jim gets wounded by gunfire from West. Simultaneously, West meets his end at the hands of Mailer.

28 Days Later ending explained

At the end, we find ourselves in a scene that unfolds 28 days later, revealing that Jim has made a recovery in a secluded cabin in Cumbria following the gunshot wound inflicted by West.

In the closing moments, Jim, Selena, and Hannah strive to catch the eye of a soaring Hawker Hunter aircraft above them – yet it remains uncertain if their efforts were successful in attracting its notice.

Toward the movie’s finale, I noticed numerous infected individuals sprawled along the roads near the cottage. It seems that with very few remaining humans to prey upon, they were likely succumbing to hunger, bringing the outbreak to a natural close.

28 Weeks Later recap

28 Weeks Later, despite sharing the same post-pandemic setting as the first movie, tells a separate story when it comes to characters. Initially, we follow Don Harris (Robert Carlyle), who manages to flee on a boat at the beginning of the film after his wife Alice (Catherine McCormack) and other survivors contracted the virus during the initial outbreak.

28 weeks following the infection, NATO is now in charge of Britain, rebuilding the nation by resettling its population with citizens like Tammy (Imogen Poots) and Andy (Mackintosh Muggleton), who were overseas when the contagion began.

Following their reunion with their father in a secure location, they secretly leave to explore their former home, only to find their previously believed-dead mother alive, yet disoriented. However, she was immune to the virus but still carried it, unbeknownst to them. This fact is revealed when Don gives her a kiss and contracts the virus himself, leading him to kill his mother before embarking on a lethal rampage.

In the meantime, Medical Officer Scarlet (Rose Byrne) figures out that Tammy and Andy might also be immune, making them crucial in finding a cure. As Don’s rampage persists, the US military find it challenging to maintain control amidst the turmoil. General Stone (Idris Elba), in response, resorts to increasingly aggressive and forceful methods to handle the situation.

In due course, intense bombardments engulfed the entire area, causing Scarlet, Tammy, Andy, along with two other survivors – Delta Force sniper Doyle (Jeremy Renner) and a fellow named Sam – to flee towards London, pursued by Don. A series of thrilling sequences unfold in London, culminating in Sam becoming infected and Doyle meeting a fiery end. The remaining trio then seek refuge in the London subway system.

In that location, Don sprung an ambush on them, leading to Scarlet’s death and Andy being bitten during the ensuing attack. Later, Tammy killed their father. It was discovered that Andy was indeed immune, so he and his sister joined up with Flynn, a friend of Doyle’s, who flew them to France.

28 Weeks Later ending explained

Initially, the movie appears to conclude with a joyful resolution. However, upon closer examination, it ends on a suspenseful note – a cliffhanger, to be precise. In the closing scenes, an assembly of infected individuals are shown exiting from a Paris Metro station close to the Eiffel Tower, hinting that the virus has now infiltrated Paris, leaving the story unresolved and open-ended.

Interestingly, unlike what you might expect, the upcoming movie titled “28 Years Later” does not continue the storyline from previous events; instead, it returns all the action to the United Kingdom. Additionally, director Danny Boyle has clarified that this film is indeed a sequel to “28 Days Later”, rather than delving deeper into the concept of immunity introduced in “28 Weeks Later”.

In his recent interview with Collider, Boyle stated that what truly set the first film apart and was our finest decision was its exclusive use of British actors.

The terrain was simply unique. Pondering over such immense power erupting within that specific area was intriguing, and it demanded immediate attention from those who lived there.

I joined in, stating, “We elected to focus our efforts on that particular aspect. There’s no issue with 28 Weeks Later. We merely chose not to incorporate those narrative elements. It takes courage to make a statement upfront, so we declared that the Rage Virus had been pushed back from mainland Europe.

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2025-06-19 12:34