Welcome to my crib: Ralph Fiennes in ’28 Years Later’.
28 YEARS LATER ***1/2 (115 minutes) MA
After the astonishing 2002 zombie – or zombie-adjacent – horror thriller 28 Days Later and the near-brilliant 2007 sequel 28 Weeks Later comes the belated follow on 28 Years Later.
And though we never got the promised 28 Months Later – a proposed film was nixed by rights issues and the torment of “development hell” – the long wait has been well worth it.
While it works well as a stand-alone, the film – the first half of a two parter, with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple due early 2026 – will enthrall fans of the first two manic adventures, easily the most ingenious reimaginings of the zombie genre thus far.
With the original film’s director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland returning – they exec-produced the sequel, directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo who co-wrote with E.L Lavigne and Jesus Olmo – 28 Years Later propels us into a new scenario still filled with rabid human beasts infected by the original monkey virus but offering a bit more humour, a more measured pace and dialogue and a fresh ray of hope for humanity.
Leaving the sanctuary of their remote island home, father Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and son Spike (Alfie Williams) bid farewell to their community of virus survivors and cross the low-tide walkway to the mainland where the rage-infected still run about looking for people to chew on.
The purpose of training Spike in the art of killing and foraging is soon overtaken when they catch sight of a distant fire, leading them to an odd mainland inhabitant who incinerates bodies.
Covered in goo of a Simpsons-yellow hue to protect him from the virus, this sinewy gent turns out to be a medicine man who just might be able to help Spike’s ill mum Isla (Jamie Comer).
Along with the humourous add-ons, this time around sees a few nods to religion, though nothing too mad, just a few crucifixes here and there, the suggestion being that this long after zero day people are slowly beginning to rediscover faith.
In strict keeping with the first two films are the heavy, threat-filled post-apocalyptic atmospherics; dripping with dread, they serve as the perfect backdrop when a new breed of infected crazies joins the party, its specialty being the removal of human heads with the spinal cord still attached. Lovely.
With the promise of the second chapter in a few months (they were shot back-to-back) 28 Years Later clocks in as a terrific horror-thriller with added treat of Ralph Fiennes who, without doubt, has proved to be one of the most versatile actors blessing the screen today.
JANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFE *** (98 minutes) M
Gracing the arthouse circuit long infatuated by the titular writer, Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is an absolutely adorable French rom-com in which struggling author and bookstore clerk Agathe (Camille Rutherford) attends an Austen-themed retreat in the hopes of solving her writer’s block and associated romantic confusion regarding two very eligible gents with whom she wishes to meaningfully hook up.
With Rutherford proving a very breezy and pleasant presence, the film (spoken in French and English) is a very easy sit, with the big vintage house and its verdant setting serving as an eye-soothing backdrop.
And there’s a treat for longtime documentary fans who shall no doubt love the supporting performance as a bum-bearing eccentric given by none other than Frederick Wiseman, the legendary 95-year old filmmaker responsible for so many great doco titles including Titicut Follies, Missile, High School, Domestic Violence, Boxing Gym and City Hall.
It’s some turn.