Context:

In '28 Years Later,' director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland revisit their apocalyptic universe with a fresh perspective shaped by recent global events but opt for a unique, localized narrative rather than expanding the franchise globally. The film remains set in the U.K., now a quarantine zone where the infected roam free, and centers around a young boy named Spike and his family living on a secluded island. The story explores themes of survival, mortality, and misguided exceptionalism, with Spike questioning his upbringing and embarking on a journey to find a mysterious doctor. Boyle's use of iPhones for filming and his frenetic directorial style make the movie visually disjointed yet resistant to blockbuster clichés. Despite its chaotic narrative, the film delivers tender reflections and a soulful coming-of-age story amidst the chaos, with plans for further installments in the franchise already underway.

Dive Deeper:

• Danny Boyle and Alex Garland return to their acclaimed zombie apocalypse series with '28 Years Later,' maintaining the story's setting in the U.K., a quarantine zone for the infected, reflecting on societal isolation akin to Brexit rather than the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The narrative focuses on a young boy, Spike, living with his family on a secluded island, where makeshift medieval-like defenses are in place, and his father teaches him survival tactics, leading to Spike's first encounter with the infected.

• Spike's journey to find a doctor for his ill mother unfolds as a central plot, introducing characters like Ralph Fiennes' enigmatic doctor and a Swedish NATO soldier, adding depth to the narrative with a mix of adventure and introspection.

• Boyle's innovative filming technique using iPhones and his signature frenetic style contribute to the movie's disjointed yet engaging visual experience, setting it apart from typical summer blockbusters.

• The film explores themes of mortality, misguided exceptionalism, and the coming of age, with Spike questioning the world he's been raised in and encountering various philosophical and moral dilemmas.

• The infected in '28 Years Later' present both fast and slothful variants, adding a new dimension to the portrayal of zombies, with some crawling and searching for food while others maintain their speed.

• Despite its structural chaos, the film offers profound reflections on human nature and societal flaws, with Boyle's persistent vision for the franchise evident as further sequels are already in development.