Danny Boyle and Alex Garland have finally revealed the first poster for the upcoming post-apocalyptic horror movie, 28 Years Later. It’s the third installment of the series that began with 28 Days Later in 2003. It follows the second movie in the series, which is aptly called 28 Weeks Later. The film is set to begin a new trilogy within the dark and gruesome story that began more than one decade ago.
Details of 28 Years Later
28 Years Later builds on the original film’s success, taking place in a world ravaged by a highly aggressive and contagious virus. Central to the first film, this virus caused a widespread pandemic, leading to chaos and destruction within society, as it turned people into zombie-like monsters. The original film, 28 Days Later, follows Cillian Murphy’s character, Jim, a bicycle courier, who awakens from a coma into a world that is no longer what he once knew. With its terrifying premise and suspenseful plot, audiences were captivated by the original film, which would establish itself as a horror classic.
Inspirations
The co-writer of 28 Days Later drew inspiration for the film from various iconic sources. In particular, George A. Romero’s zombie film series, Night of the Dead, and John Wyndham’s 1951 novel, The Day of the Triffids, are two such films. However, Garland cited a more unexpected influence for the upcoming sequel, 28 Years Later, as Ken Loach’s 1969 film, Kes. This gritty film is an authentic portrayal of humanity, telling the story of a 15-year-old boy who struggles to find hope for the future and the world. While an unusual influence for a zombie film, Kes can add more depth to 28 Years Later, offering a thought-provoking and unconventional approach to a zombie story.
The Movie Poster
Sony unveiled 28 Years Later’s first poster with a visually stunning and brutal image. Specifically, it features numerous tiny skulls forming a bright red biological hazard symbol on a dark crimson background. Overall, the poster leaves a lasting impression as viewers can expect the film to have a haunting and ominous tone. Notably, the names of cast members, including Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes, appear at the top of the poster.
Although Cillian Murphy and Charlie Hunnam will star in 28 Years Later, they’re both conspicuously absent from the list of names appearing on the poster. However, it’s possible that this omission may be deliberate to build suspense and anticipation among fans. Moreover, the film’s themes are also hinted at in the poster’s design, suggesting that the world hasn’t improved for the better despite the passage of time. Following the sequel, 28 Weeks Later, viewers can expect 28 Years Later to pick up where the original films left off.
Cast
So far, Cillian Murphy is the only returning actor from the original film to play the again. In contrast, Imogen Poots, who played the role of Tammy in the sequel, also expressed interest in joining the film, although her return hasn’t been confirmed. Meanwhile, Killing Eve and Alone in the Dark actress, Jodie Comer has joined the cast, but her role remains unknown. Recently, Comer has been perfecting a Newcastle accent, drawing inspiration from Cheryl Cole of Girls Aloud, in preparation for the role. Given her mastery of various dialects, Comer is expected to deliver an amazing performance in the upcoming horror film.
Final Thoughts
For fans of the 28 Days Later franchise, the 17-year-long wait for the next installment is almost over. Fortunately, the first official post of the film confirmed a June 20, 2025 release date. Despite revealing plot details earlier this year, the poster has generated even more excitement. As of now, fans eagerly wait for an official trailer to be released to provide clearer details of what to expect in 28 Years Later.
