Danny Boyle’s ‘28 Days Later’ (2002) – Retro Review

We’ve had 20 years and a real viral outbreak under our belts since the release of Danny Boyle’s brilliant 28 Days Later on November 1, 2002. Let’s look back on one of the most well-made horror films of the century thus far… with gratitude that toilet paper and masks were the only things people were raging out over for us.

When Alex Garland and Danny Boyle (Trainspotting 1996) set out to make a new zombie apocalypse film, they knew exactly what they didn’t want to do, and that was the stereotypical, somnambulate brain-eater. Athletes were cast as the infected as they can move in ways that the average human does not, and let’s not forget – they’re really fast.

Zombie films of the past would play on society’s fear of nuclear war, but modern society has a much more plausible fear: disease. After extensive research, Garland and Boyle settled on the possibility of a viral apocalypse as the premise for 28 Days Later. The Rage Virus depicted in the film is similar to Ebola; a hemorrhagic fever leading to red eyes, rash, and internal and external bleeding, and is communicable through blood. The difference between the real virus and this film’s 10x-more-terrifying one is obvious: Rage.

28 Days Later is so gritty and realistic; it made quite an impression on its audience. Stephen King bought out an entire showing upon its release, and the international symbol for blood-borne biohazards instantly conjures memories of this film for us diehard horror buffs… before it warns us of the biological danger present.

I can’t imagine Jim being portrayed by anyone other than Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders 2013), a virtual unknown before this film. As it happens, Ewan McGregor was Danny Boyle’s top choice had they not had their falling out over Leonardo DiCaprio’s (Critters 3, 1991) casting in The Beach (2002). Ryan Gosling (Goosebumps 1996) was also offered the role, but scheduling conflicts thwarted that plan. In the end, Boyle decided that this film didn’t need big names to carry it at all.

This film was going to create big names.

Before she became the ultimate Bond Girl, Naomie Harris was leading the way through post-apocalyptic UK, teaching us that the infected, in the end, are the least of your worries. It’s the other survivors you’ll battle the most.

I’ll never forget the imagery when the world began to shut down for COVID-19 and how it didn’t remind me of Night of the Living Dead (1968) or The Walking Dead (2010). It reminded me of 28 Days Later, easily one of the most frightening and realistic zombie apocalypse movies ever made.

28 Days Later is available to buy on Amazon.com