I had quite a few issues with the previous 28 Years Later, and unfortunately many of those same problems return here. The infected feel less like the terrifying, unpredictable force from the original films and more like “forest people,” which immediately breaks the continuity. The world itself doesn’t feel grounded in the same reality as 28 Days or 28 Weeks. It’s hard to pinpoint, but the tone just doesn’t connect.

I wasn’t excited going in, but people I trust had seen it early and managed to get me hopeful. Even so, my reaction ended up almost identical to part one: this still doesn’t feel like the same universe. The originals thrived on tension — the fear that the infected could appear at any moment. Here, that atmosphere is missing. There’s a major sequence involving fire and loud rock music, and none of the characters seem remotely concerned that it might attract infected. That lack of internal logic really stood out.

Two Stories, One Collision

The film splits its narrative between:

• Spike, trapped within the cult of Jimmys and trying to escape
• Dr Kelson, whose growing bond with the alpha infected Samson becomes the emotional core

Both threads build steadily until the casts collide in an explosive finale.

Performances That Outshine the Film

Jack O’Connor is captivating as Sir Jimmy — very much in line with the energy he brought to Sinners. He’s quickly becoming one of the standout talents of the last year.

But this film truly belongs to Ralph. Every scene he’s in pulls focus. He’s funny, vulnerable, and unexpectedly tender, especially in his relationship with Samson. The heart‑to‑heart between Jimmy and Kelson is easily the film’s strongest moment.

A Character Drama Wearing a Horror Skin

I expected more gore and violence, and while there is some, this isn’t really a film about the infected. It’s a film about people — about the paths they choose when everything else has been stripped away. Which was the premise of the original 28 Days Later, but lost in 28 Weeks.

The final moments set up potential future stories while also functioning as a loose conclusion to the “28 Years” arc. A sequel isn’t necessary, but you can see where one might go.

Unanswered Threads

One lingering frustration:
Where is Aaron Taylor‑Johnson?
His character’s son is still out there. Why doesn’t Spike even attempt to reconnect? It feels like a thread the film simply ignores.