Danny Boyle showcases the impact of pandemics in 28 Years Later

In the United Kingdom, the highly anticipated film directed by Danny Boyle, 28 Years Later, premiered on June 18, 2025. This film serves as a direct sequel to 28 Days Later, which was released back in 2002, and is set nearly 30 years after the original Rage Virus outbreak that devastated society. The narrative indicates that the infection was ultimately contained to the UK, which is now a quarantine region. The survivors, including characters portrayed by Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes, must navigate a society forever altered by the virus. Boyle noted the influence of contemporary events, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, on the film's themes and character behaviors. The way society reacted to the pandemic, through measures like wearing masks and disinfecting surfaces, permeates the story and the characters’ decisions. Boyle emphasized that this was unavoidable, as the experiences we have lived through shape narrative choices, regardless of intent. While the first film's premise focused on direct horror and survival, Boyle's sequel aims to explore how human connections endure and evolve amid chaos. The film introduces evolving forms of the infected, such as