28 Years Later (2025)

Edwin Tan

Edwin Tan

— 1 min read
28 Years Later (2025)

Score: 8 / 10
Category: Movie
Platform: Netflix

One-line verdict

A bold evolution of the franchise that shifts from outbreak to survival and retaliation, and ends up being the strongest entry since the original.

What worked

  • The premise is entirely different from the first two films. This isn’t about the outbreak anymore, it’s about survival and fighting back.
  • Instead of focusing on people getting infected, the movie introduces evolved infected, opening up a much larger and more interesting universe.
  • The violence is the hardest and most brutal of the trilogy so far, but it feels purposeful rather than gratuitous.
  • Samson is terrifying. Easily the most frightening antagonist in the franchise.
  • The cast is strong across the board. Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes all deliver, but Alfie Williams stands out the most.

What broke

  • The film deliberately misleads early on, which may not work for everyone.
  • Some viewers expecting a more traditional continuation of 28 Days or 28 Weeks may find the tonal shift jarring.
  • The ambition occasionally risks overwhelming clarity, but it never fully loses control.

What others are saying

  • Widely praised for taking the franchise in a new direction instead of repeating outbreak mechanics.
  • Strong reactions to the evolved infected and increased brutality.
  • Samson is frequently cited as one of the most memorable elements of the film.

The section below discusses plot details.

Why this worked for me

What impressed me most is that this movie doesn’t try to redo what already worked. It expands the world instead. The focus on survival and fighting back makes the story feel bigger and more purposeful than the earlier films.

The biggest twist is how misleading the opening is compared to where the movie actually goes. The misdirection between Jimmy and Jamie is handled well and adds an extra layer once the full picture comes together.

By the end, I felt satisfied. This is a confident, evolved sequel that respects the franchise while pushing it forward. A strong 8 feels right, and it easily sets up anticipation for the next chapter, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.

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