28 Days Later - An In-Depth Look at the Post-Apocalyptic Horror Classic

Overview of 28 Days Later

28 Days Later is a post-apocalyptic horror film that was released in 2002. It was directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland. The film depicts the breakdown of society following the accidental release of a highly contagious virus called "Rage" that causes infected humans to become aggressively violent.

Plot Summary

The film begins with animal rights activists breaking into a medical research facility to free chimpanzees that are being experimented on. During the break-in, a chimp that is infected with the Rage virus attacks and bites one of the activists. 28 days later, bicycle courier Jim (Cillian Murphy) awakens from a coma in a deserted London hospital. He wanders the empty streets trying to figure out what has happened in his absence. It quickly becomes apparent that the entire city has been evacuated due to an unknown catastrophe. Jim eventually encounters other survivors Selena (Naomie Harris) and Mark (Noah Huntley) who explain to him about the Rage virus outbreak which has decimated the UK's population.

Selena and Mark accompany Jim to his parents' house in Deptford, but find it ransacked and his parents gone. That night, the group are attacked by more infected humans and Mark is bitten. Selena kills Mark before he turns and she and Jim escape. After another harrowing encounter with the infected, Jim and Selena run into two more survivors - cab driver Frank (Brendan Gleeson) and his daughter Hannah (Megan Burns). Frank takes them to a barricaded block of apartments where he has been hiding with Hannah and other survivors.

The next day, Major Henry West (Christopher Eccleston) arrives with more military personnel. They offer protection and transport to a supposedly infection-free zone near Manchester. Jim, Selena and Hannah volunteer to join them, but the safety promised by the soldiers turns out to be a fabrication. It is revealed that Major West has lost faith in the government's promises and plans to rebuild society using forced breeding with the female survivors at the mansion they are taking the group to. Disgusted by his plan, Jim escapes execution and returns to rescue Selena and Hannah. In the process, Sergeant Farrell (Stuart McQuarrie) executes Major West for refusing to back down from his plan.

Jim, Selena and Hannah head for a radio broadcast relaying a message that claims there is an antibody cure for infection en route from abroad. Before they reach the blockade on the South Coast, Jim is infected when a drop of blood falls into his eye. He leaves Selena and Hannah and disappears into the shadows of the abandoned city as the film's narration ends with the message that the infected will continue to starve to death while the survivors will try to rebuild society.

Cast and Characters

The main cast includes:

• Cillian Murphy as Jim - A bicycle courier who awakens from a coma 28 days after the Rage virus outbreak begins in London.
• Naomie Harris as Selena - A survivor who rescues Jim and explains the details of the catastrophe to him.
• Noah Huntley as Mark - Another survivor who accompanies Jim and Selena before becoming infected.
• Brendan Gleeson as Frank - A father who has been hiding out with his daughter Hannah.
• Megan Burns as Hannah - Frank's daughter who joins Jim and Selena in thinking there is hope for a cure.
• Christopher Eccleston as Major Henry West - A major in the British army who plans to forcibly rebuild society.

Production

28 Days Later was produced by Andrew Macdonald and shot entirely on digital video cameras to give it a raw, gritty look. The film had an estimated budget of £5 million.

Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland developed the script based on concerns about the state of society at the time, including terrorism, disease, and environmental issues. They modeled the Rage virus after Ebola and other emerging viral threats.

Filming took place entirely in the UK, including locations in London, Manchester, and Salisbury. Iconic London landmarks like Westminster Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, Horse Guards Parade, and Oxford Street were filmed completely empty which created an eerie atmosphere.

The scenes inside the deserted hospital were filmed in a real abandoned sanatorium outside London. The mansion used towards the end of the film was Trafalgar Park near Salisbury.

Themes and Analysis

28 Days Later explores several themes including:

• Man's self-destructive tendencies - The Rage virus is accidentally unleashed by humans and proceeds to decimate the population.
• Societal breakdown - With no law and order, Major West tries to rebuild society through fascist domination.
• Isolation - Jim starts the film alone and confused in empty London. Other survivors have bonded into distrustful groups.
• Hope and resilience - The radio broadcast at the end offers hope that the infection can be overcome.

The Rage-infected humans present a twist on the classic zombie genre. Instead of being slow and lumbering, these infected are quick, aggressive, and fully living. Their red eyes and blood spit create a distinct sense of menace.

The kinetic filming style and editing lends the infected an almost supernatural speed and ferocity. The film often employs quick cuts and a shaking handheld camera to place viewers in the chaos.

Despite the horror elements, the film focuses largely on the characters and their survival. It taps into universal fears about disease spread, societal collapse, and loss of humanity. The bonds that form between Jim, Selena, Frank, and Hannah offer glimpses of hope even in the direst circumstances.

Reception

28 Days Later was widely praised by critics and audiences. It currently holds an 87% critics rating and a 75% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Many reviewers complimented the film's fresh approach to the zombie horror genre.

The film exceeded box office expectations, earning over $82 million worldwide on a $5 million budget. It was particularly successful in the UK, where it grossed $10 million.

28 Days Later received several awards and accolades including a British Independent Film Award for Best Achievement in Production. Danny Boyle won a Saturn Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films for Best Director.

The film is credited with renewing interest and innovation in the zombie genre. Its influence can be seen in later films and shows like Dawn of the Dead (2004), World War Z, and The Walking Dead.

Cultural Impact

Despite being a low budget horror film, 28 Days Later had a significant cultural impact and legacy following its release:

• It demonstrated that digital video could achieve high production values and opened the door for more digital filmmaking.
• The iconic scenes of a deserted London made it one of the definitive depictions of a post-apocalyptic cityscape.
• It influenced the modern approach to fast zombies as opposed to the classic slow, shambling type.
• It sparked renewed interest in the dystopian and post-apocalyptic genres that was later capitalized on by films like The Walking Dead.
• The Rage virus concept has been influential and mirrored in things like the spreadable insanity in World War Z.

Beyond film, 28 Days Later has been referenced in music, literature, and television shows demonstrating its lasting impact on pop culture. An example is the episode "Marge in Chains" of The Simpsons that features an Osaka flu outbreak with symptoms similar to Rage.

28 Days Later's Continued Popularity

28 Days Later has remained popular due to several key factors:

• Strong word of mouth and repeat viewings from fans.
• Being hailed as a modern classic of its genres.
• Introducing new audiences through home video and streaming releases.
• Applying its high-concept premise to resonant themes about human nature.
• Launching the careers of director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland.
• Influence on later films, TV shows, and other media.
• Iconic scenes like empty London streets that stick in viewers' imaginations.
• Viral marketing and social media expanding its reach.

Younger generations continue to discover 28 Days Later providing the basis for its longevity. Fans still discuss analyzing details like theories about the ending or origins of the Rage virus. The film maintains a strong cult following over 20 years later.

Availability of 28 Days Later

28 Days Later is widely available across multiple formats and platforms:

• Digital rental/purchase - Available to rent or buy on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube, etc.
• DVD/Blu-Ray - Released on DVD in 2003 and Blu-Ray in 2010 with various editions.
• Streaming - Currently available on streaming services like HBO Max and DIRECTV.
• Television - Periodically airs on cable movie channels like AMC, TCM, IFC, and TNT.

The film has been made accessible to fans through its release across multiple home entertainment platforms. As streaming becomes the dominant way people watch content, 28 Days Later can be discovered by new generations seeking out classic horror films.

Legacy and Lasting Appeal

As an early 2000s low-budget horror film, 28 Days Later exceeded expectations in terms of critical acclaim, box office, and cultural impact. Its legacy and long-lasting popularity stems from:

• Bringing a fresh take to the zombie horror genre by speeding up the undead threat.
• Capturing a pervasive millennial anxiety and mood in the post-9/11 era.
• Danny Boyle's kinetic directing style and Alex Garland's compelling script.
• Showcasing a completely deserted London as a haunting, unforgettable setting.
• Influencing a generation of films, TV series, and games with its viral apocalypse premise.

28 Days Later succeeds by combining a high-concept sci-fi plot with relatable characters and themes about survival. The Rage virus outbreak heightens the human drama rather than detracting from it.

The film continues finding new audiences decades later. Fans still dissect key questions around the ambiguous ending or source of the outbreak. 28 Days Later's emotional impact and cultural influence cement its status as a horror classic that will be discussed for generations.

FAQs

What caused the outbreak in 28 Days Later?

The outbreak was caused by the accidental release of the Rage virus from a medical research facility where scientists were experimenting on chimpanzees.

How did the Rage virus make people violent?

The Rage virus caused infected humans to become mindlessly aggressive, lashing out violently at any non-infected person they encountered.

Why was London empty in 28 Days Later?

The government quarantined and evacuated London to try to contain the Rage virus outbreak leaving the city completely deserted.

How did Jim survive 28 days in a coma?

Jim was in a hospital room sealed off from the infected. IV fluids kept him alive while in the coma before he awoke.

What happened at the end of 28 Days Later?

A drop of infected blood falls into Jim's eye implying he will become infected. But a radio message indicates an antibody cure is coming to counter the virus.