28 Years Later (2025)

(mild spoiler warning)
Poignant, idyllic, and comforting - words I never thought I’d use to describe any zombie movie, yet 28 Years Later is all of these things and more. 

A surprisingly inventive approach to this arguably quite oversaturated genre, this is probably the best zombie movie I’ve seen since Train to Busan. It’s so smart to make death the central theme in a genre where it is ubiquitous. This movie makes you ask:In a world where the default honorable death is often a violent one done in sacrifice, will we forget how healing it is to die with dignity and comfort, surrounded by loved ones? 

The movie starts with a father training his teenage child to kill with ease, setting up the expectation that this is going to be a story about necessary cruelty and survival. Yet the idyllic shots of the Scottish highland meadows and the blooming flower fields were all there to remind us the story is gentle at its core. 

Spike’s dad repeatedly tells him to look death in the eye to harden him in a world with dangers abound, while his journey with his mom has him hold death in his arms as a reminder to hold onto his softness. Brilliant storytelling.

The only mild gripe I have is with the ending scene, which I can only imagine is just there to set up another sequel, yet it really detracts from the main theme of the story. It should not have been there. 

Other things that surprised me but in a good way:
- Close up shots of massive zombie dick swinging around as a man who’d win a Jason Mamoa look alike contest chase you down a train (Along with hundreds of other average sized zombie dicks)
- Jodie Comer again playing someone who is sane only 30% of the time yet so different from Villanelle and just as delectable 
- The UK is like, really pretty.