The Reel Rejects - Holy Crap...Just Watched 28 YEARS LATER!! Out Of Theater Reaction & Review!

Episode Date: June 19, 2025

28 Years Later Review – with a Dead Meat & Wuz Good Cameo! The long-awaited third entry in Danny Boyle’s post-apocalyptic zombie trilogy is finally here. Set decades after 28 Days Later (2002) and 28 Weeks Later (2007), 28 Years Later delivers a chilling, action-packed, and emotional return to a Rage-infected world. Directed by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting) and written by Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation, The Last of Us video game influence), the film brings back the gritty realism and raw energy that helped redefine the zombie genre. The cast features Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Bullet Train, Kick-Ass) as the lead survivor, Jodie Comer (Killing Eve, Free Guy), Jack O'Connell (Unbroken, Skins), Ralph Fiennes (Harry Potter, The Grand Budapest Hotel), and the return of Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer, Peaky Blinders) as Jim. In this video, we dive into first impressions, standout performances, jaw-dropping scenes, the terrifying evolution of the Rage virus, and how 28 Years Later stacks up against modern survival horror hits like The Last of Us and A Quiet Place. We also reflect on the full trilogy’s progression—from the raw chaos of 28 Days Later, the military dread of 28 Weeks Later, to the emotional weight and larger scale of 28 Years Later. Is this the best zombie movie since The Last of Us? Did it live up to the massive expectations? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—and which scene left you breathless! Don’t forget to subscribe for more out-of-theater reviews, reactions, and horror breakdowns! #28YearsLater #28DaysLater #28WeeksLater #ZombieMovies #OutOfTheaterReaction#MovieReview #CillianMurphy #DannyBoyle #AlexGarland #TheLastOfUs #HorrorMovies#Apocalypse #ZombieApocalypse #SurvivalHorror #Zombie #Tlou Intense Suspense by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Support The Channel By Getting Some REEL REJECTS Apparel! https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ Follow Us On Socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/  Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reelrejects?lang=en Twitter: https://x.com/reelrejects Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ Music Used In Ad:  Hat the Jazz by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Happy Alley by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... POWERED BY @GFUEL Visit https://gfuel.ly/3wD5Ygo and use code REJECTNATION for 20% off select tubs!! Head Editor: https://www.instagram.com/praperhq/?hl=en Co-Editor: Greg Alba Co-Editor: John Humphrey Music In Video: Airport Lounge - Disco Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Ask Us A QUESTION On CAMEO: https://www.cameo.com/thereelrejects Follow TheReelRejects On FACEBOOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM:  FB:  https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thereelrejects Follow GREG ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/thegregalba/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thegregalba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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has been legal to consume to consume of alcohol no no charracki We're recording, pop-in, say hi, Chelsea, say hi.

Say hi, Chelsea. What about 28 years later? 28 years later. Yeah, that movie's a journey, dude. Fucking journey. Yeah. Not what I expected, in a good way. Ladies and gentlemen, we just got out moments ago of watching 28 years later.

This is a film that is highly anticipated. and some people told me before watching it that it's probably going to be controversial and I was like, really? I looked on Rotten Tomatoes. It's got like a 95% and after watching it, I'm like, oh, this might be divisive amongst audiences.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I understand. Particular. Such like a filmy movie, but man, is it, is it an experimental time at the movie theaters? I'll tell you that much, guys. Absolutely is. So please leave a like on this video,

Look, the trailers don't really tell you what the plot's about. If you know the world of 28 days later or more so 28 weeks later, it takes place 28 years later, and you're looking at how society has now adapted and formed. John, I will let you please have your, what is like the first thing that comes to mind? I think this is like an experience. What is the first thing that comes to mind with this experience? It absolutely is an experience. And I guess the first thing that comes to my mind is just the aura, the atmosphere that

Danny Boyle and Alex Garland have returned to craft with this. And, you know, even though, yes, this is the third in a continuum of movies, it really does feel complimentary to the mood and the style of the first one, while also taking the tropes of the zombie genre and portraying them in another fresh, interesting way that feels out-of-breath classic, but also completely sort of recontextualized for the here and now. And I had a blast with this, honestly. like this is the kind of movie that is well up my alley because it has all of the requisite carnage and zombie slash infection style suspense that you are hoping for but it delivers it in a package that kept me surprised throughout and really drew me in with as much thoughtfulness as it did intensity and i think it's really to the credit obviously of danny boyle and alex garland but to the to the to the kid who is like the lead of the movie

movie, the kid who plays Spike, who turns out to be your sort of protagonist who you're following throughout most of this. There are other notable actors, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Jody Comer, Ray Fines is in this as well. But I was really kind of struck by how wonderful of a centerpiece he made for this movie and how much both peril and sort of banality is able to be drawn out of the zombie, the infection, I should say, through his eyes, through his experience. But yeah, what are your, what are your initiative, Bob? Sure.

Yeah, I feel like this is a movie where it feels almost like a strange post-pandemic reflective experience. It's like imagine if someone really experienced a lot of crazy different types of emotions during the pandemic and then wondering like, what is society like? And then they have some type of crazy fever dream. And this seems like that's it. that's a really good read on that it's so detailed and there's so much world building and like

yo Wes what's up man filming right now buddy dude it's so cool watching like your the way your whole career's been going man I watched like the whole Kevin Hart thing you did that's fucking amazing man all right thanks man

good seeing you dude hey Wes Wes you guys should follow what's good on Instagram and up That's so good. It's like such a detailed movie with so much crazy world building. And we were talking beforehand how 28 days later was such a genre leap. And it was such an inspiration that going back watching 28 days later a couple of days ago, I'm like, oh, yeah, like this feels more like a movie now.

It doesn't feel as real as it once did. And especially because there's been so many different influences that happened. So then for Danny Boyle to come back with Alex Garland and with two very different careers that have blossomed it since 28 days later, the first thing that comes to mind for me is how much I admire that they took such a risk with this film because they do not hold punches here. When we say experimental, it is so much weirder and trippier and sensory. Yes, we're exactly going to pull. during this time at the cinema. It's like, wow, this is like such a trip. Like, I don't really quite know, like,

where my heart is at with the film because it's weird. Like, the movie's probably the most emotional one out of the three films. It has, like, the most heart, strangely enough, out of the, out of the three films. But it's got such a dreamlike fever state. Think, think, Terrence Malik,

think, think Harmony, Corinne. The train spot, think train spotting. You know, it's got it's got that. that kind of amp of style. Like, when you see the first trailer for this, which took off and won the Golden Trailer Awards, you're like, oh, right, well, cool trailer with the, with a mix of that. I'm like, oh, my God, it's so much weirder. It is like, like, 10 times weird.

Yeah. And it's like hyper stylized. And the camera work is, like, insane. But, yeah, they're the crazy world building. See you, James and Chelsea. Oh, later, guys. See you guys. No, there's not food up there.

People in England. All right. See you guys. We're recording. Poppin. Chelsea, say hi. Say hi, Chelsea. What up?

28 years left. 28 years later. Yeah, that movie's a journey, dude. In a fucking journey. Yeah. Not what I expected. In a good way. Can I wait to watch your guys.

Watch their podcast review about it. It's going to be amazing. Oh, thanks. All right. Thanks care, guys. Be well. Anyway, yeah, it's an influencer event in case you didn't pick up a... Who else can we get in the video?

Third terms of charm. Come over here. Give us your two cents for the engagement. for the click 208 clicks late But the thing is like Does it deliver on the I mean the violence and the gore Like yeah it's really there

And the infected level You know what? Oh my God I have this thought during it Which I'm so happy to share with you guys One of the things about the Last of Us show That kind of disappointed me With that being my favorite game The Last of Us too

As I don't really feel like They brought the gameplay to life This movie is closer To bringing the experience of like Oh what's it like to be a player in a world full of infected, it brings that to life in a way where the way the jarring editing is done in the multiple and whatnot, like the franticness when like an infected pops up and you're like, oh, I lost the capability of the control. Yeah. Oh, crap. I'm spinning around.

I'm not shooting properly. Yeah. Like, oh, yeah. It's not exactly one to one, but it's closer to me than the, than the show Elast of Us is. Well, and it does that both in its context and what's happening on screen, but also how the visual style and the editing are complimenting that because the thing about 28 days later was it was a bit of a revolutionary movie and using video to capture all this or at least, you know, like camcorder style cinematography. And this, I don't know if it's 100%, but it is largely shot, I believe, on iPhones as well as drones and stuff like that. And that gives it this familiar texture that we're all used to looking at constant, you're looking at it right now. And the way that that

literal look of the image adds to the film as well as then the hyper, the hyper, frantic editing that feels like a stream of consciousness brings it all together. It's like a really beautiful way to not only return to the context of this world, but also like do an interesting creative angle on how to capture, how to bring it to life, you know, in the tradition of the original movie. And yeah, the way that that makes it feel like this strange vision quest fever dream is really striking. And it's similarly kind of a road movie as the first one especially is. second one has elements of, but it also does feel like you are just sort of traversing and exploring and just taking in vignettes from the apocalypse, you know, there's so much great design work,

there's great music as well, like the droning, harsh, dissonant tones combined with certain needle drops combined with certain, this has some of the most tender score elements of any of these movies as well, like all of the sensory elements really came together. And the effects are pretty good, too. I mean, you can tell where there is CG happening and there's some like funky ADR but there's so much else oh that always seemed intentional to me though it almost does because it almost feels like you are glimpsing everything out of a memory or something yeah that of a dream yeah i thought this pretty early on and uh i i will stick by it he's not in this movie as much as you think but he is super important to the film very very important actually

two actors are not in as much as you think but one in particular who you think will be the lead is not really the lead of the film, but it is my favorite performance I have ever seen of him. Aaron Taylor Johnson. Totally. The guy can be a little hit or miss for me from time to time. You know, like, Nosferatu is one of the ones that goes back to me

forward of like, I don't know, like, I feel I could see he's committed, he's acting his freaking ass off. He's the only one I don't fully believe is in this world. And maybe you disagree in me, that's fine, go ahead. When it comes to this, nah, he is like,

one million percent inhabiting this and he's incredibly believable and he's awesome in it but he's flawed and I I really loved what he brought to this role like you shouted out hello like you shouted out the guy the kid who plays spike yeah I want to shout that out too because one of my criticisms with the 28 of the other movies I don't feel like they did a great job on casting kids I don't feel like the kids are very like 28 days later the little girl he is the one she's an adult now so I don't feel as bad saying it

that one I was like hey you're the one part of this is really doesn't feel believable yeah this kid is incredibly believable and manages to really hold down the film really well and yeah like Jody Comber right finds great presence as well I don't want to give too much away

I will say though that now that it's been like 15 minutes since we saw it I do think there are some parts of it that kind of suffer from the fact that it is a part one. Like, I think a lot of people are going to be showing up to this, looking at it as part three of a trilogy, which technically it is. But really, the movie is way more of a part one of a new trilogy.

It's like a fulcrum, yeah. Yeah, so there's a lot of big ideas in this film. Most of them, I think, are cool because it's more of like a lived-in experience. It's not so much about, like, hey, how did this come to be? And let's really understand why and get the origins of this. It's more about seeing how this society has, like,

what is the new norms for? in a world like this and they really push that envelope because it's not so much about let's try to go back to the way it once was which is what a lot of infected or zombie-like movies do it's really like

what is the new norm? This is how it is here. This is how it is over here. Even more different, way out there or we can't get to. Yeah, yeah, yeah, a thousand percent. Yeah. So, but sometimes it's like the payoffs,

I think for the most part the payoffs are done really well. The ending of this movie I think is a thing that I You're going to grab you or throw you I mean it's it is I I wish I could tease it but it would be such a spoiler Nothing you can say

But damn you can tell people were reacting I'm talking like the last like five to ten minutes Of this film we're like Wow this movie's been experimental And they're really seeing how far they can get Away with it this time You know yeah which I find very exciting But I can absolutely see how this movie

Being that it is as much of like a linear story. Like even with the twist and turns, the first movie takes, there's a certain kind of linear quality about the journey. This is very much more sort of lyrical and observant.

And yeah, it's weird. It packs as much zombie mayhem, gore, and violence in as you would expect. But it's not aiming at a specific target the way you would expect. In a lot of ways, it's just like a coming of age walkabout thing that has goals and certain arcs held within it.

But it really feels. like you are sort of wandering through an open world video game encountering different that's my point that's my point it's if you guys have also played god of war uh the plot set up of that of uh kind of reminds me at the game god of war don't let the ending fully the ending might leave people going like oh the story's not complete because of how it ends but no actually like in terms of our main characters their journey there is an arc that happens this is a complete chapter of a couple of these characters, but in terms of

like they do completely set up a part two. Oh yeah. In a way where it might make you think like, oh, the movie didn't actually finish, but it did. It does finish. And I need some time to like let it sink in a little bit more, but at this moment of time, I think absolutely if you watch

28 days later, if you watch 28 weeks later, you don't even need to actually see those movies to understand this one whatsoever. That's one of the beauties of it. If you like the trailer, I say give this movie a shot. I would absolutely say go in, watch it. I want to watch it again. So if anything, that's a recommendation. Absolutely. Yeah. I cannot wait to see this again. And I'm just really excited to see Danny Boyle and Alex Carlin back with something that really is striking and full of life and vigor. And clearly

they were inspired. I think one of the best things you can say about a legacy sequel, you know, like this could have gone wrong easily. And I think it's really admirable that they took the swings they did. And yeah, sought to keep breaking ground with this stuff. Sure, for sure. All right, guys, well, um, that's it. Woo! I can't wait to see what audience reception is like. Um, and hopefully it's higher than, uh, I feel like it'll be lower than critics,

but hopefully it's not that much lower. Yeah, and I would love to be completely wrong. Let's get that part three. Let's get that part three. You mean part two? No, it's hard two is already being shot. Let's get that part three. Yeah.

See you guys. Uh, oh yeah, just for safety, I guess. clap? Sure.