We thought they were buried, but here they are rising from the ground with even more confidence: the infected from Danny Boyle are back to haunt our nightmares. “28 Years Later”, the third installment of the cult saga, will hit theaters on June 18, 2025. A date to mark with a blood-red highlighter, as this film promises an explosive mix of technological innovation, visceral horror, and raw emotion.
Cillian Murphy, Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes are in the cast, a quartet of stars that would make even a jaded zombie shiver. But the true star of this $75 million production? The iPhone 15 Pro Max is Danny Boyle’s secret weapon. It proves that you can shoot a blockbuster with a phone and a bit of madness.
A Breathtaking (and Head-Spinning) Plot
In this devastated kingdom, where the infected roam like real estate agents in search of vacant lots, a young boy sets out to find a doctor to save his dying mother. Heading to the desolate lands of northern England, he encounters a gallery of characters as ambiguous as politicians on the campaign trail.
The grand return of Cillian Murphy as Jim (you know, the guy who was always running in the first film) is not without surprises: rumors and the trailer suggest he might have been infected. Yes, good old Jim might now be as reliable as a 90s modem.
And what about Ralph Fiennes, who plays an enigmatic doctor? It’s whispered that he almost turned down the role, believing that playing Voldemort was enough for his quota of creepy characters.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max: Star or Gadget?
This is the great innovation of this film: Danny Boyle and his longtime collaborator, Anthony Dod Mantle, have swapped traditional cameras for an iPhone 15 Pro Max. A technical challenge that would have been laughed at in the 2000s, but today commands respect (and the perplexed gaze of the old cinema fogies).
Thanks to overpriced accessories and Apple’s technical assistance, this smartphone has been transformed into a true horror-capturing machine. The images, raw and realistic, evoke the nervous style of the first installment, shot with a DIY camcorder. Steve Jobs must be shivering in his grave.
Casting: Five-Star Survivors
It’s hard to dream of a better cast. Jodie Comer, the revelation of Killing Eve, plays a fearless survivor who, on her own, brings humanity back to this lost world. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who seems to have developed a taste for stunts in Bullet Train, plays an adventurer ready for anything (including messing up his hair). Ralph Fiennes, in the role of a mysterious doctor, exudes a gravity that sends chills (and not just because of the zombies).
A New Trilogy in the Works?
Rumor has it: Danny Boyle doesn’t plan to stop there. According to Ralph Fiennes, two sequels are already in post-production. The next installment, charmingly titled 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple, could be released as early as 2026.
If he continues on this path, Boyle might just revive the zombie film trend. Between us, it will be a change from superheroes saving the world in tight pajamas.
Why Will This Film Go Down in History?
“28 Years Later” doesn’t just tickle our nostalgia: it’s a true reflection on survival, resilience, and family sacrifices. A human drama disguised as a horror film, which might make people cry in their homes (in addition to making viewers jump with well-placed jump scares).
And for the purists, it’s a love letter to independent cinema. With an innovative aesthetic and a cast at the top of their game. In short, see you on June 18, 2025 to find out if Jim and the other survivors can still hope. Maybe they’ll finally end up on the infected’s menu.
Let’s end on this note: with an iPhone in one hand and zombies in the other, Danny Boyle proves that you can still revolutionize cinema… even while walking on lands ravaged by the apocalypse.
