28 Days Later: If you’re looking for a proper zombie flick that isn’t just about slow, groaning corp

You’ve probably heard of Danny Boyle — the guy who brought us Slumdog Millionaire. Well, before he was bagging Oscars and wowing the world with that, he made this absolute classic of a horror film – 28 Days Later (2002). And it practically rewrote the rulebook for zombie films.

Boyle’s knack for making something truly gripping is all over this. He could’ve easily gone for the typical zombie flick with groaning, slow-moving creatures. But nah, he flipped the script. Instead of the usual undead, he gave us the "Infected" – raging, fast, and furious. They’re more like the worst hangover you've ever had, except instead of a bad headache, they’re all about ripping you to pieces. Proper terrifying!

And speaking of fantastic choices, let’s talk about Cillian Murphy. This man's got a talent for picking amazing roles. After this film, he went on to become a big-time Hollywood thing – The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception, Peaky Blinders, and... And of course, how could we forget his latest blockbuster – Oppenheimer?

⚠️ Spoilers ahead ⚠️

Back to 28 Days Later – in this one, Cillian’s brilliant as Jim, who wakes up from a coma to find that the world’s been overtaken by this rage-inducing virus. He plays a regular guy who gets thrown into this absolute nightmare, and you’re with him every step of the way as he navigates a world that’s been turned upside down. His performance is raw and grounded, and it really pulls you into the chaos and emotional weight of the situation.

The film’s pacing is spot on. Tense moments are followed by brief flashes of action, keeping you on the edge of your seat. And the atmosphere? It’s almost haunting. What sets 28 Days Later apart from other zombie films is how it blends horror, tension, and human drama. It’s not just about fighting off the infected – it’s about what happens when society crumbles and people are pushed to the edge. The infected are a constant threat, but as the story unfolds, you realise humans can be just as dangerous, and sometimes even more so. If you’re into high-stakes horror with a real punch, this one’s a must-watch.