10 Key Things to Know From ’28 Days Later’ Before Watching ’28 Years Later’; See Full List

The long-awaited sequel 28 Years Later is set to release on June 20, 2025, bringing back Danny Boyle and Alex Garland to continue the story that began with 28 Days Later in 2002. With nearly two decades since the last film, 28 Weeks Later (2007), fans may need a refresher on the events that led to this post-apocalyptic world. Here are 10 essential details to remember before watching 28 Years Later.

1. The Origin of the Rage Virus

The outbreak began when animal rights activists freed chimpanzees from a lab, unaware they were infected with a mutated virus. This “Rage Virus” turned people into aggressive, fast-moving monsters within seconds of exposure. Unlike traditional zombies, the infected are still alive but driven by uncontrollable rage.

2. Jim’s Coma and Awakening

Cillian Murphy’s character, Jim, woke up from a coma in an empty London hospital 28 days after the outbreak. He found the city abandoned, with only a few survivors left. His journey introduced viewers to the horrors of this new world.

3. The Infected Are Not Undead

Unlike classic zombies, the infected in 28 Days Later are living humans driven mad by the virus. They can starve to death, meaning they don’t last forever. This detail was crucial in 28 Weeks Later, where NATO forces reclaimed London after the infected died off.

4. The Military’s Dark Turn

Jim and other survivors sought refuge with soldiers led by Major Henry West (Christopher Eccleston). However, the soldiers turned out to be dangerous, planning to force women into slavery. This showed that in this world, humans could be just as deadly as the infected.

5. The Hopeful Ending

28 Days Later ended with Jim, Selena (Naomie Harris), and Hannah (Megan Burns) surviving in Cumbria. They signaled a passing jet, hinting at possible rescue. However, their ultimate fate was left unclear.

6. 28 Weeks Later Continued the Chaos

The sequel followed Don (Robert Carlyle) and his children, Tammy and Andy, as NATO tried to repopulate London. A second outbreak occurred when Don kissed his infected wife, Alice, who was an asymptomatic carrier. This led to another wave of destruction.

7. The Virus Spread to Europe

The ending of 28 Weeks Later revealed the virus reached Paris, with infected people emerging from the subway. This set up a global pandemic, though 28 Years Later will focus on the UK’s continued struggle.

8. Tammy and Andy’s Unknown Fate

Tammy (Imogen Poots) and Andy (Mackintosh Muggleton) escaped London with a helicopter pilot, Flynn (Harold Perrineau). The film’s final scene showed their crashed helicopter in France, leaving their survival uncertain.

9. The New Threat in 28 Years Later

The upcoming film takes place 28 years after the outbreak. Survivors live on an island connected to the mainland by a guarded causeway. When a father (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and son (Alfie Williams) venture out, they discover mutated horrors among both infected and survivors.

10. Cillian Murphy’s Role

While Murphy won’t appear in 28 Years Later, he is an executive producer. His character, Jim, may return in future sequels. The film instead focuses on new survivors, played by Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, and Jack O’Connell.

ALSO READ: Cillian Murphy Returns as a Zombie in the 28 Years Later Trailer Featuring Evolved Creatures

28 Years Later promises to expand the terrifying world of the Rage Virus with new dangers and deeper storytelling. Fans of the original films should revisit them before the sequel arrives.

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