28 Weeks Later (2007)

What is 28 Weeks Later About?

The onslaught of the rage virus has done widespread damage. Don and Alice have survived, but the infected show up at their home. Many of those at the house are killed, we believe. Then, 28 weeks later, the infected all starve to death.

When the American NATO forces permit citizens to re-enter the country, the couple’s children Tammy and Andy return from Spain. We become enthralled by these two storylines, as all forces attempt to beat the deadly rage virus.

Our Honest 28 Weeks Later Review

We were not prepared for the gripping, scary nature of 28 Weeks Later when watching it through streaming platforms. Because even when there isn’t violence or action happening, tension and fear are masterfully incorporated into the plot. Calm moments don’t really exist, and the clever camera work shows us the horror of the rage virus through close-ups and swift movements.

Watching the opening scene in which a young boy leads the infected to a safe country house, and a survivor is bitten, we partially covered our eyes. This tense and gruesome motif is carried throughout the plot, making us think of The Crazies (2010) and Dawn of The Dead (2004).

What Do the Critics Think of 28 Weeks Later?

The originality and scares make the film 28 Weeks Later a must-see horror. This is what the critics say:

• “As a pacy Saturday night shocker, though, it can’t really be faulted, and the final twist is genuinely hilarious.” – BBC Movies, Paul Arendt

• “Fresnadillo ups the gore quotient and shows a penchant for showoff editing and strobe lighting that Boyle avoided. It grabs you though, hard and often.” – Rollingstone, Peter Travers

• “The most impressive thing about 28 Weeks Later is how scary it is, and in multiple ways. The infected are as vicious as ever.” – Classic Horror, Robert Ring

What Awards and Nominations Did 28 Weeks Later Receive?

Making $9.8 million in the opening weekend, 28 Weeks Later was ranked second at the box office, losing only to Spider-Man 3 (2007).

The gorefest won the Empire Award’s Best Horror in 2008, while Scream Awards awarded the film Best Horror Movie in 2007, and it was also nominated by Fright Meter Awards for Best Horror Movie in 2007.

Cast and Crew of 28 Weeks Later

The 28 Weeks Later movie cast and crew, including Robert Carlyle, Catherine McCormack, and Juan Carlos Fresnadillo combine their exceptional skills in the film 28 Weeks Later. Here’s what you don’t know about them:

Fun Facts About 28 Weeks Later

• All actors in 28 Weeks Later who took the role of an infected individual had a dance, gymnastics or mime background and attended workshops to learn more about their role.

• As explained by Fresnadillo, the whole score for 28 Weeks Later was composed by John Murphy within just two weeks.

• Fresnadillo is the director of the film 28 Weeks Later because Danny Boyle couldn’t take up this role. He was committed to Sunshine (2007) at the time of filming.

• In many scenes, Wembley Stadium’s interior is substituted with shots of the Millennium  Stadium in Cardiff because construction was taking place. The seats were turned red with visual effects.

• Scenes with the US Army Camp were filmed in an exterior courtyard near Citypoint Building, and tents with US flags were used. An underground scene also uses the underground car park area of this location.

Themes of 28 Weeks Later

Post-apocalyptic themes are the most prevalent motifs of 28 Weeks Later, but the movie has a few less obvious themes too.

What we found almost as engaging as the end-of-the-world motifs were the themes of morality and betrayal, which are seen in the opening scene where Don must make a choice between saving himself and saving his wife from the infected humans.

How Does 28 Weeks Later Compare to Juan Carlos Frenadillo’s Other Work?

Fresnadillo’s work and style in 28 Weeks Later is reflected in the supernatural horror Intruders, 2011. Fast camera movements add to the scares, and the horror and family motifs are similar to those in 28 Weeks Later.

The director’s skills in the film 28 Weeks Later are also seen in the Falling Water TV series. Though this is a drama thriller, and it’s not as fast-paced, the tension builds through clever camera work just like in many scenes of the 28 Weeks Later movie.

Iconic Scenes from 28 Weeks Later

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia

Carlyle, McCormack, and Juan Carlos Fresnadillo share their own views of the top scenes from 28 Weeks Later:

• Reflecting on the action scenes in the 28 Weeks Later movie, Carlyle explained, “It’s been enjoyable certainly to take part in them.” Of the genre, despite the movie being a horror film, Carlyle said he “suddenly realised there is partly an action film” genre, notable in 28 Weeks Later.

• Looking back at her acting process, McCormack stated that the movie was quite “tiring” – with the infected “attacking so constantly and having to sort of play fear, the energy required for that take after take was really quite exhausting.” She added that it was “also good fun”.

• Talking about his main challenge when directing 28 Days Later, Fresnadillo stated that it was to “make this story real”. His goal was to create a movie in which you could “smell the characters and the environment, and you could feel that the story could actually happen.”

What’s the Soundtrack Like for 28 Weeks Later?

In The House, Without a Heartbeat is one of the most haunting tracks we hear in 28 Weeks Later. It builds in intensity, reflecting the initial moments of suspense that typically precede scenes of sheer terror.

Another track we couldn’t get out of our heads was Kiss of Death, which had an ominous and forboding stringed instrument sound that foreshadowed the danger.

Best Quotes from 28 Weeks Later

• “I think that makes you the youngest person in the entire country… Welcome back to Britain.” – Scarlet commenting on Andy’s age as he re-enters the country after being in Spain.

• “Abandon selective targeting. Shoot everything. Targets are now free. We’ve lost control.” – US Army general Stone telling snipers to shoot indiscriminately.

• “My mum, my dad… They’re trying to kill me. There’s others too.” Boy seeking safety explaining that the infected people have been chasing him.

• “And we were trapped. Trapped in the bedroom. I… I seen them… biting. I couldn’t do anything. I tried to go back. She was already gone. She was already gone.” Don explaining how he lost his wife after being attacked by the infected.

• “Have you come in contact with… the infected?” – Scarlet, the medical professional, questioning a patient who she suspects might not be free from the rage virus.

• “I don’t see who’s a target.” – A rooftop soldier expressing difficulty in completing his task to kill the infected.

• “All forces under my control prepare to execute Code Red.” – General Stone communicating with US army officers, instructing them to exterminate the infected.

• “Green and brown. Interesting iris variation. It’s usually hereditary. Do one of your parents have the same?” – Scarlet completing a medical check on Andy and noticing his inherited iris variation.

• “Tam, am I one of them?” – Andy, asking his sister whether he is one of the infected.

• “We are headed for the green-zone, our area of security and reconstruction, designated as District One. District One is located on the Isle of Dogs. Although the Isle of Dogs is completely safe, the surrounding area of London is not.” – A DLR soldier explaining which zones of London are safe and pointing out that parts across the river are off-limits.

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