28 Weeks Later gets a lot of flak – and yeah, it’s no 28 Days Later. The plot has more holes than Swiss cheese, and some of the character choices make you want to scream. But, honestly? It’s still a pretty entertaining ride. The pacing is solid, the action hits hard, and there are moments that actually make you care. So buckle up – let’s dive into why this sequel deserves a little more credit than it usually gets.
28 Weeks Later: When “Safe Zone” Means “Hold My Beer”
Set 28 weeks after the original outbreak, 28 Weeks Later shows us a Britain slowly picking up the pieces after the Rage Virus nearly wiped out the population. NATO forces have stepped in to establish a “safe zone” on the Isle of Dogs in London, and it looks like the nightmare might finally be over. Enter Tammy and Andy, the two kids of Don and Alice-who, conveniently, were out of the country when all hell broke loose. Reunited with their dad in the safe zone, they quickly prove that curiosity isn’t always a good thing.
Ignoring all warnings, Tammy and Andy sneak back to their old house to grab some personal stuff and find their supposedly dead mother alive – but infected and dangerous. This sets off a chain reaction that throws the safe zone into chaos and reintroduces the Rage Virus to the world. Suddenly, what was supposed to be a secure sanctuary becomes a battlefield as a small group of survivors – including a Delta Force sniper, a medical officer, and the troublemaking siblings – fight to escape the infection’s deadly grip. Despite starting the whole mess, Tammy and Andy might just hold the key to a cure… if they can survive long enough.
28 Weeks Later: The Rage Returns, and So Do Plot Holes
Okay, so 28 Weeks Later does get a lot of stick. Sure, it’s nowhere near as good as 28 Days Later and yes, there are gaping plot holes here, but as a film it was certainly entertaining in my opinion. The opening scene is amazing. We go from Don and Alice hiding out in a remote house to the invasion from the rage infected within the first ten minutes, and the whole scene is fast paced and, at the same time, emotional. Don quickly proves himself to be a scumbag when he saves himself and makes zero effort to save his wife, essentially leaving her there to be zombie snacks.
Having said that, I do love the eventual chase scene and the whole thing is helped out by the track In the House – In a Heartbeat, which is a track that I love anyway in how it builds and adds tension to the scene. The track was also used in 28 Days Later, so I think it’s fitting they’ve kept it here. I really am hoping to see it back for 28 Years Later (and seriously, what happened to 28 Months Later?).
Anyway, after that, we are taken to Tammy and Andy, it’s 28 Weeks Later and they are heading to the Isle of Dogs after Britain is declared free from infection once the last of the infected have died from starvation. Tammy and Andy arrive at the new site to be greeted by their father, Don (both Tammy and Andy were conveniently away “at camp” in another country when the infection broke out in Britain – which seems to serve as a plot device so they didn’t know what happened to their mother). Don tearfully tells his children what happened and says there was nothing he could have done to save Alice (LIES!).
Despite everyone’s best advice and being informed not to – as there was still danger of infection – our intrepid kids Tammy and Andy decide to go back and visit their old house, thereby setting off a chain of events that are going to make a lot of people die. But hey, Tammy and Andy, you do you.
They find their mother still surviving in the house, and the army swoops in (from somewhere) and takes Alice, where Scarlett, a US medical officer, finds that Alice has the virus in her but hasn’t succumbed to it. She tells Stone, a US general overseeing District One, that Alice is important – that she could be the key to a vaccine or cure. But he’s having none of it and says Alice will be destroyed.
Now, despite Alice obviously being high risk and potentially dangerous, there seems to be no security whatsoever where she is kept. No guards, no locked doors (unless I missed something). And dear old husband of the year Don is able to make his way to speak to his wife. And… did… she… just… forgive him? The first words she says to him are “I love you.” Trust me, if this had happened to me, I would have a LOT more to say than that!
Anyway, the happily reunited couple share a kiss, in which she transfers the virus to him. And just like that, the virus that had been eradicated is back (good job, Tammy and Andy).
The whole code red scene is well done in my opinion, and then we are left with a band of survivors trying to make their way out. Tammy and Andy, alongside Scarlett, are joined by Hawkeye – I mean sniper Doyle, played by Jeremy Renner. Scarlett believes that Tammy and Andy’s blood could also carry the same genetics as Alice, so she believes they need to get out of the country. Sacrifices are made, zombies are chopped up by a helicopter flown by Flynn (Harold Perrineau), and all the while we’re trying to save the two kids who started this whole mess in the first place!
So yeah, 28 Weeks Later might not be perfect, but it’s got enough action, tension, and those “what the heck?” moments to keep you watching. Plus, I’ll always have a soft spot for the chaos caused by teenagers making the worst decisions ever.
Check out our Letterboxd review here >>
28 Weeks Later Cast: The Survivors (and the Not-So-Survivors) You Need to Know
Before the rage and chaos hit, this is the crew trying to keep their heads-and bodies-intact. From dodging infected hordes to questionable parenting decisions, here’s the 28 Weeks Later cast bringing the drama, the action, and the “why did they do that?” moments to life:
- Robert Carlyle as Don, Tammy and Andy’s dad who proves heroism is optional
- Rose Byrne as Scarlet, the US medical officer with a plan (mostly)
- Jeremy Renner as Doyle, the deadly Delta Force sniper ready to clean house
- Harold Perrineau as Flynn, helicopter pilot and aerial savior
- Imogen Poots as Tammy, daughter who just can’t resist going back
- Mackintosh Muggleton as Andy, son and fellow troublemaker
- Catherine McCormack as Alice, the mom who’s more complicated than she seems
- Idris Elba as Stone, the US general with a strict “destroy first, ask questions never” attitude
More Zombie Mayhem You’ll Love
If you’re digging the intense, pulse-pounding chaos of 28 Weeks Later, here are some other zombie and post-apocalyptic gems you definitely need on your watchlist:
- 28 Days Later – The original rage-fest that started it all. More heart-pounding, more rage, and just as unforgettable.
- Dawn of the Dead (the 2004 remake) – Zombies, shopping malls, and some seriously epic survival drama. Classic for a reason.
- Train to Busan – A fresh, fast-paced Korean zombie thriller that’s as emotional as it is terrifying. Get ready to feel ALL the feels.
- World War Z – Brad Pitt running from zombies on a global scale. Big budget, big action, big mess.
- Shaun of the Dead – Zombie comedy gold. Because sometimes the apocalypse needs a bit of British humour.
Grab your popcorn, and prepare for some serious undead action!
People Also Ask About 28 Weeks Later
Got questions about 28 Weeks Later? You’re not alone. Here are some of the most asked ones, answered:
Why wasn’t Cillian Murphy in 28 Weeks Later?
Director Danny Boyle liked the idea behind the sequel but revealed that despite Cillian Murphy and Naomie Harris’ characters surviving the original, they didn’t return because the actors were “too busy” at the time.
Is 28 Weeks Later disturbing?
Definitely yes. Like its predecessor, it delivers intense, gritty scenes and plenty of zombie horror that’s not for the faint-hearted.
Is 28 Weeks Later on Disney+?
Yes, you can currently stream 28 Weeks Later on Disney+, making it easy to revisit or catch up.
Is 28 Weeks Later connected to 28 Years Later?
Yes, 28 Years Later is connected to both 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, but with a different approach. While 28 Weeks Later serves as a direct sequel to 28 Days Later, 28 Years Later is planned as the start of a new trilogy that builds on the events of both earlier films. The director has mentioned that 28 Years Later will not contradict the story of 28 Weeks Later, but it will take the story in a new direction within the same universe.
Wrapping Up 28 Weeks Later
So, there you have it – 28 Weeks Later might not reach the heights of its predecessor, but it’s got enough thrills, drama, and a killer soundtrack to keep you hooked. If you’re a fan of the zombie apocalypse genre, it’s definitely worth a watch (just maybe don’t take Tammy and Andy’s choices as a survival guide).
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