28 Days Later

28 Days Later is a 2002 British post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland.

28 Days Later is a 2002 British post-apocalyptic horror film that helped revive the zombie genre. It follows a bicycle courier who wakes from a coma to find Britain devastated by a Rage virus outbreak.

What it is

Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, the film stars Cillian Murphy as Jim, a bicycle courier who wakes from a coma in a deserted London hospital. The Rage virus, accidentally released by animal rights activists, has collapsed society and turned infected people into violent aggressors. Jim joins a small group of survivors navigating the ruins of Britain.

Why it matters

28 Days Later is widely credited with revitalizing modern zombie horror, shifting from slow-moving undead to fast, infection-based threats. Its gritty, low-budget style and focus on societal collapse influenced a wave of post-apocalyptic films. The movie launched a franchise that includes sequels and related media.

Key details

Released in 2002, the film was produced in the United Kingdom. The cast includes Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston, Megan Burns, and Brendan Gleeson. It has been widely distributed in Canada and is part of the English-language horror canon commonly viewed by Canadian audiences.