28 Days Later (2002)

Featured Audience Ratings

• xGary X

  
  A young bicycle courier wakes up from surgery in central London to find it completely deserted, until he is attacked by a horde of rabid people screaming for his blood. Danny Boyle's spin on the zombie movie, although as inevitably generic as you'd expect has enough quirks… More
  A young bicycle courier wakes up from surgery in central London to find it completely deserted, until he is attacked by a horde of rabid people screaming for his blood. Danny Boyle's spin on the zombie movie, although as inevitably generic as you'd expect has enough quirks to make it stand out from an overpopulated crowd. The English locations alone are enough to give it an unusual flavour and the scenes that show him wandering through the empty city are genuinely spooky. When "the infected" appear it settles down into the usual cliches but at least Boyle understands the genre better than most and concentrates on the psychological horror of the death of civilisation and the zombie attacks have the requisite tension and suspense. Unfortunately the second half of the film is far weaker than the first. Christopher Eccleston's squad of troops operating on the ragged edge clearly owe a debt to Romero's Day Of The Dead and are quite believable British versions of their gung ho American counterparts, although this sequence suffers for some weak dialogue and poor performances. Add an unsatisfying conclusion which is nothing more than a half-hearted 50s B-Movie happy ending and 28 Days Later can hardly be described as perfect, but it's different enough to be worth a look.

• Melvin W

  
  Jim: That was longer than a heartbeat.  "The Days Are Numbered." When watching a zombie film there are things you expect. You expect it to be gruesome, disgusting, violent, dark, and depressing. That's the genre. With 28 Days Later, Danny Boyle made a… More
  Jim: That was longer than a heartbeat.  "The Days Are Numbered." When watching a zombie film there are things you expect. You expect it to be gruesome, disgusting, violent, dark, and depressing. That's the genre. With 28 Days Later, Danny Boyle made a "zombie" film that is everything I just described the genre to be. Somehow though, it seems different from other movies like it. It's more gruesome and much more bleak. A lot of that has to do with Boyle's incredible direction and the gritty way the film is shot.  28 Days Later follows Jim, who has just awoken from a coma 28 days after an infection has swept across England. Animals and humans are infected and there aren't many people left uninfected. Jim manages to run into a few survivors who are trying to find somewhere safe to go, in a time where there is nowhere safe to go.  Few horror films have affected me, and no zombie movie ever has. That still hasn't changed, but I have to say that 28 Days Later is the creepiest zombie movie I have ever seen. Hardcore Romero fans will argue that this is cheap and goes against everything that has been established in the genre. The infected are running, and guess what I find that scarier. Something about flesh hungry runners make them scarier than the lumbering of a flesh hungry Romero zombie. It might be that these can actually catch you. This has a raw feeling and atmosphere that 95% of zombie movies and horror movies period, lack. It has a dirty, grisly feeling to it, that is unmatched in this dirty, grisly genre. This is definitely going to be a genre classic for years to come, along with Night and Dawn of the Dead. This is what the genre is made of.

• Directors C

  
  28 Days Later isn't just a good horror movie but a decently constructed movie in general. It's smart and it has a political backstory, it's got an interesting plot, likable characters, scares, comedy and it's own unique style of atmosphere that will scare the hell… More
  28 Days Later isn't just a good horror movie but a decently constructed movie in general. It's smart and it has a political backstory, it's got an interesting plot, likable characters, scares, comedy and it's own unique style of atmosphere that will scare the hell outta you. In my opinion, it's better than Slumdog Millionare (also directed by Danny Boyle).

• Spencer S

  
  One of the better modern zombie films that arenâ(TM)t a retelling, adaptation, or have a comic book basis. This isn't exactly anything new or extraordinary, but was entertaining, and one could argue it also works as a coming of age or life changing story about a young man's… More
  One of the better modern zombie films that arenâ(TM)t a retelling, adaptation, or have a comic book basis. This isn't exactly anything new or extraordinary, but was entertaining, and one could argue it also works as a coming of age or life changing story about a young man's abrupt evolution in demeanor in the face of a crisis. This film does show the beginning of the outbreak, the scientific aspects, and the wide spread of the disease and how the world reacts in the face of these atrocities; the panic, lack of emotion, and bottomless fear. The politics, military inclusion, and death toll are all emphasized in this unlike many of the Dead series of Romero fame. Those films better show a singular person's plight and response to what is going on around them with lack of information. This film does that well while also hinting towards the global response. Besides our characters usual situational standard, they also travel, and run amidst a group of wayward soldiers who have all gone mad with power. This is where I have a problem with the film. Zombie films are usual about the mass populous being zombie-like entities that follow the ways of what is popular, what is in the media, or advertising. While Night of the Living Dead didn't have a clear cut message, Dawn of the Dead was all about mall culture and the addictive power of buying. This one pulls into the moralistic message of the human condition, showing that without any sense of rule, of any law or order, man would break down and kill each other for survival. Looking over the alternate ending choices I would have much preferred one of them, much bleaker and understandably chosen. I did like the actual choices made, the stellar direction from Danny Boyle, and the great cast choices of usual creeper Cillian Murphy, later Pirates of the Caribbean witch Naomi Harris, 7th Doctor Christopher Eccelston, and lovable Brendan Gleeson. The story is kind of humdrum, but the actual action, the thoughtful ways they survive and ways they are saved and save each other really resonated. I especially didn't like the romantic element they thrust in for good measure and Jim's ensuing storyline and character development. Still, this really is one of the best zombie films of all time.

• Samuel R

  
  Its gruesome, its gritty, its absolutely great. This is quite possibly the greatest zombie film since George A.Romero's 'Dawn of the Dead'.

• KJ P

  
  "28 Days Later" is the pinnacle of horror/zombie apocalypse movies! It provides the drama that a lot of horror films seem to miss, Cillian Murphy's performance is incredible, the zombies are lifelike, the choice of camera placement is phenomenal, and the dialogue is… More
  "28 Days Later" is the pinnacle of horror/zombie apocalypse movies! It provides the drama that a lot of horror films seem to miss, Cillian Murphy's performance is incredible, the zombies are lifelike, the choice of camera placement is phenomenal, and the dialogue is very true and believable, as far as zombie flicks can go. As the infection begins to spread through the innards of monkeys and chimps, it is soon released unto to the world. 28 days later, we are involved in the life of a hospital patient as he wakes up to realize his world has been taken over. This fictional story of courage, terror, and survial, is definitely one of the best zombie films I have ever seen. It may have it's moments where it may be too long of a film for it's own good, but it makes use of the time that it has and does it with style. "28 Days Later" is fantastic!

• Sophie B

  
  Not exactly original in terms of story, but the cinematography and brilliant shots of an empty London make this film something else. Towards the end it did get slightly strange but still a good film from Boyle.

• Graham J

  
  My favorite zombie film. In my opinion, Boyle hits the nail on the head. The gritty camera work only heightens the tension.

• Martin S

  
  This is pretty much the same exact plot as Resident Evil. It's a good movie. But the last half hour wasn't so good. It was a little wierd. The first 15 minutes when he wakes up and walks through the empty streets of London was pretty nice directed. That was the best part of… More
  This is pretty much the same exact plot as Resident Evil. It's a good movie. But the last half hour wasn't so good. It was a little wierd. The first 15 minutes when he wakes up and walks through the empty streets of London was pretty nice directed. That was the best part of the movie.

• Unknown H

  
  I did not think this movie was as epic as most people did but still it made a reasonably good zombie story. I happened to actually see it for the first time at dawn in central London and looking out on the empty city streets was quite daunting and probably made the movie scarier than… More
  I did not think this movie was as epic as most people did but still it made a reasonably good zombie story. I happened to actually see it for the first time at dawn in central London and looking out on the empty city streets was quite daunting and probably made the movie scarier than it actually was.

• Shawn E

  
  Waking up to a zombie apocalypse is a scary thought and main character Jim has to find refuge for his survival. This zombie film has a fresh story and some exciting elements. For it's low budget, it's surprising how well done this film is. The performances are awesome from… More
  Waking up to a zombie apocalypse is a scary thought and main character Jim has to find refuge for his survival. This zombie film has a fresh story and some exciting elements. For it's low budget, it's surprising how well done this film is. The performances are awesome from both infected and survivors, and the effects and set design are fantastic. 28 Days Later is a fresh and exciting film for any fan of the horror or zombie genre.

• Thomas B

  
  A great blend of story, character and inventive, low budget filmmaking. Full review later.

• Brad W

  
  Scary and feels original, was a great movie. It could've had better actors, but still a really cool movie.

• Richard C

  
  This movie was really good. Its scary,fairly original, and highly entertaining. One of the best horror movies of the decade and probably one of the best zombie movies. Grade: B+

• Matt G

  
  My favorite zombie movie. Danny Boyle invented the "runners!" Grade: A+

• Kristijonas F

  
  A tense, well-written - and most importantly an emotionally wrenching post-apocalyptic wonder.

• danny d

  
  some say this is a fresh take on the zombie genre, others say it isnt really a zombie film at all, either way this is a solid horror film. the first hour and the final 10 minutes are all excellent, and despite a weak 30 minutes at the military base the overall film works on a lot of… More
  some say this is a fresh take on the zombie genre, others say it isnt really a zombie film at all, either way this is a solid horror film. the first hour and the final 10 minutes are all excellent, and despite a weak 30 minutes at the military base the overall film works on a lot of levels.

• paul o

  
  Originality-100% Acting-100% Character Development-100% Diverse Landscapes-100% This movie was genius! Danny Boyle changes the zombie genre by not even making them zombies, theyre INFECTED! A bloody start to a dramatic end, Cillian Murphy was the perfect actor chosen to be in… More
  Originality-100% Acting-100% Character Development-100% Diverse Landscapes-100% This movie was genius! Danny Boyle changes the zombie genre by not even making them zombies, theyre INFECTED! A bloody start to a dramatic end, Cillian Murphy was the perfect actor chosen to be in this movie. One of the top 20s in my favorite list.

• Bently L

  
  Probably the most intellegent zombie film I've ever seen. The concept and story are really great. The acting from both the humans and the zombies (Yes, zombies are actors too.) are really good. The cinematography and score is dramatic and top-notch. Wait a second, the whole movie… More
  Probably the most intellegent zombie film I've ever seen. The concept and story are really great. The acting from both the humans and the zombies (Yes, zombies are actors too.) are really good. The cinematography and score is dramatic and top-notch. Wait a second, the whole movie is top-notch! See it! "They've quarantined us. There is no infection... Just people killing people... HE'S INSANE!"

• EightThirty .

  
  24/10/2010 (AVI FILE) An "Infection Holocaust" that kept me interested as I began to wonder the next step for this terrible outbreak and outcome. It definitely hit me on a mental level which I like... movies that do that take me for a ride and I was feeling the darkness… More
  24/10/2010 (AVI FILE) An "Infection Holocaust" that kept me interested as I began to wonder the next step for this terrible outbreak and outcome. It definitely hit me on a mental level which I like... movies that do that take me for a ride and I was feeling the darkness and discomfort of a bad, nasty situation that kept me second guessing things. I got a kick out of this terror flick and it is a plus for horror junkies in my opinion.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings