REVIEW: New 28 Years Later film, shot in Somerset - worth a watch?

Yahoo

21-06-2025

AN AWARD-WINNING cast has helped reignite the horror film genre with the release of the new 28 Years Later Film, partly filmed in Somerset. Here's my review:
Entering as the third instalment of an already impressive first two films, 28 Years Later, directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, has delivered one of the best post-apocalyptic survivalist horror-thriller films I have ever watched.
READ MORE: Aaron Taylor-Johnson: Innovative filming makes 28 Years Later 'like no other'
READ MORE: 28 Years Later, filmed in Somerset, now available to watch
The plot takes you on an emotional rollercoaster that isn't your typical zombie horror film. A classic opening scene, starring the Teletubbies, shows the infected attacking a young boy named Jimmy at the start of the outbreak.
Fast forward 28 years, we follow a slightly dysfunctional family with Scottish father Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), an ill Geordie mother Isla (Jodie Comer), and their son Spike (Alfie Williams) - all living on an island with those who aren't infected.
Jamie takes Spike on his first outing to the mainland, where we see him praise his son for getting his first infected kill - wiping out a rather fat infected with a bow and arrow.
The two then run into trouble, nearly getting killed by an 'Alpha' infected in the process before making it back to the island.
A drunken party then follows, where we see Spike fall out with his father, and if you've watched the film, I think you'll agree this is fair. Then, in an effort to save his ill mum, Spike heads out to the mainland with her.
28 Years Later cast and director (L-R) - Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Alfie Williams, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, and Danny Boyle. (Image: PA Media)
This emotional journey between mother and son is my personal highlight of the whole film. It makes this film unique and makes you realise that there is more to the plot than just the infected vs humanity. Danny Boyle has changed it up from the first two films, and I'll say it's paid off, for sure.
We then meet arguably the best character of the film, the 'insane' Doctor Ian Kelson, played by Ralph Fiennes.
Known for playing Voldemort in Harry Potter and Chef Slowik in The Menu, Ralph's character helps tie the story together well, with a stand-out performance.
I'm in shock at how this film has a 15 age rating, mainly due to Ralph's character and the amount of nudity and gore we get after Spike and Isla leave the island. However, I'm not complaining about the latter, as the kills/violent scenes have come a long way since 28 Days Later was released in 2002.
The signature head-ripping off kills are gruesome yet awesome - watch just for this.
In parts, 28 Years Later does lack a bit of flow to the storyline, but the strong cast all pay off - including Swedish soldier, Erik Sundqvist, who was effortlessly funny.
Spoiler alert - Keeping a keen eye out for when Somerset's Cheddar Gorge would appear, I was a bit sad to only see it featured towards the end of the film.
The aerial shots of the gorge are beautiful, and it was 100% a good choice to use it as a set for a film like this.
Good news for Somerset, though, as it looks like Danny Boyle and the cast of 28 Years Later will be returning to the southwest county again, after the film was left there on a cliffhanger ending.
I would've liked to have seen more of actor Jack O'Connell, who plays Sir Jimmy Crystal, as I think he's a great actor, particularly in Sinners and Skins, among other shows.
Overall, this film is a testament to the amazing director that is Danny Boyle, and Jodie Comer's performance is definitely worth some sort of award. Nice to see that 28 Days Later star Cillian Murphy was the executive producer. It would be great to see him on-screen again if there are future films in the pipeline - 4.5/5.