Ep. 94: 28 Years Later ➡
Episode 93: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s 28 Weeks Later (2007)
Rotten Tomato Score: 72%
That tense, breathtaking opening scene in the isolated cottage sets the tone perfectly - Robert Carlyle's character makes the ultimate cowardly choice, abandoning his wife to a horde of infected to save himself. This moral failure haunts the entire film and creates one of the most devastating character arcs in zombie cinema.
28 Weeks Later builds on the frenetic energy of its predecessor while shifting toward military action horror. Six months after the rage virus decimated Britain, American forces establish a safe zone in London to begin repopulation. The false security of military protection quickly unravels when two children break quarantine rules, setting in motion a catastrophic chain of events that proves the rage virus isn't just surviving - it's evolving.
What makes this sequel particularly effective is how it examines different types of infection - not just the literal virus, but how fear infects decision-making, how guilt transforms a man into a monster, and how family bonds can become deadly vectors for transmission. The film features stunning set pieces, including a nightmarish mass evacuation turned slaughter and an unforgettable helicopter sequence that remains one of the most visceral moments in zombie cinema.
Juan Carlos Fresnadillo takes over directing duties from Danny Boyle (who helmed the cottage attack sequence), bringing a distinct visual style that emphasizes chaos and military precision in equal measure. While the film might lack some of the raw emotional impact of 28 Days Later, it compensates with higher stakes and more complex themes about sacrifice, immunity, and the fragility of civilization's recovery efforts.
Whether you're revisiting this underrated 2007 gem or discovering it for the first time before 28 Years Later arrives, you'll find the rage virus hasn't lost any of its terrifying potency. Follow us for more horror analysis and join the conversation about which post-apocalyptic survivors you'd want on your team when civilization collapses.
Sinister Sips
Rage Elixir
From: BarGPT
Recipe:
1.5 oz Amaretto
1 oz Lime Juice
1 oz Orange Juice
1/2 oz Ginger Syrup
1 dash Angostura Bitters
Splash of Soda Water
Orange peel for garnish
Pour all ingredients except soda water into a shaking tin
Add ice and shake for 15 seconds
Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice
Top with a splash of soda water
Garnish with an orange peel
Plot Summary:
Six months after the rage virus was inflicted on the population of Great Britain, the US Army helps to secure a small area of London for the survivors to repopulate and start again. But not everything goes according to plan. (Taken from IMDb)
Watchability Scale
Sam and Chad gave the film a 7. Mike saw it more as an action film than a horror film and gave it a 5. We placed the film at 6.5 on the Watchability Scale.
Links
Movie Trivia (TV Tropes)
Behind the Scenes Details (Three Mountain Games)
Behind the Scenes Footage (YouTube)