Time: 113 Minutes
Age Rating: R16 – Violence, offensive language & horror.
Cast:
Cillian Murphy as Jim
Naomie Harris as Selena
Brendan Gleeson as Frank
Megan Burns as Hannah
Christopher Eccleston as Major Henry West
Director: Danny Boyle

With the latest film in the series coming, 28 Years Later, I decided to revisit the previous two movies. 28 Days Later remains a great movie 23 years later, and I’d rate it as one of the best zombie movies. 

28 Days Later is a captivating, unsettling and unnerving movie, and it conveys oppressiveness and bleakness really well. Much of the movie is known for the creative digital filmmaking and the fast zombies and with that in mind, it’s a far quieter movie than you’d expect and has even less infected than you’d expect. Yes, a number of the quieter moments are used for tension, but it also gives moments to breathe and to spend time with these characters. It’s very human with some hard hitting moments. It definitely takes a turn in the third act, and while there are some pacing issues, it pays off by the end.

The performances from everyone are fantastic and on point, especially from Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson and Christopher Eccleston.

Danny Boyle’s direction is stellar. You immediately notice how low budget this movie looks and feels; it might’ve been made for $8 million, but it looks like it was made for a lot less. It uses low quality handheld digital cameras that often makes the movie look ugly, but in the best way possible. The way that Boyle films and edits this is very creative and unique. The atmosphere is very oppressive and the movie does well at conveying the devastation of the world, especially with everything appearing run down. The scenes of tension are really good, especially with the fast zombies and how they are portrayed, and the effects and makeup are great. John Murphy’s score is tremendous and iconic and adds so much to the film.

28 Days Later is a captivating, grimy, atmospheric, bleak, and oppressive zombie horror, with fantastic performances and effective directing.