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How ’28 Days Later’ Redefined the Zombie Genre

Upon its release in 2002, Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later not only catapulted Cillian Murphy into the spotlight but also revolutionized the zombie and horror genre. The film introduced audiences to “Rage Zombies,” which were notably agile and terrifying, shattering the long-standing tradition of slow-moving undead. This shift in portrayal stemmed from a dissatisfaction with the existing zombie trope, as articulated by Alex Garland, the film’s screenwriter, whose inspiration came from an unexpected source.

In a recent discussion with GQ, Garland reflected on his experiences leading to the creation of the film’s iconic fast zombies. An accomplished screenwriter, director, and novelist, Garland is also an avid gamer, having contributed to works like DMC: Devil May Cry. His passion for gaming fundamentally influenced the tone of 28 Days Later. He recounted, “Not long before writing 28 Days Later, there was a game on the PlayStation, Resident Evil. And, what Resident Evil did was, it reminded me how much I loved zombie movies. And there was another thought, which is, after I got good at playing the game, I was thinking, ‘The zombies are not actually very scary, because you can kill them quite easily or you can get away from them with a brisk walk.’

The original Resident Evil, developed by Capcom and launched in 1996, featured lethargic zombies, which players could easily dispatch. However, the game also introduced fearsome, fast-moving dogs that startled many players. Garland elaborated, “But there was something else in the game, which was these dogs. The dogs moved really quickly, and they actually would give me jumps sometimes. And I think that’s the thing that gave the sort of idea of a zombie movie, but where the zombies move quickly.”

’28 Days Later’s Impact on the Zombie Genre

Designating 28 Days Later as the definitive zombie film might be an exaggeration; George A. Romero’s classic, Night of the Living Dead, released in 1968, still holds that title for many. Nevertheless, the landscape of zombie cinema was indelibly altered when audiences witnessed a sprinting zombie priest chase Cillian Murphy’s character, Jim.

Since the film’s debut, the occurrence of fast-moving zombies has proliferated across the genre. A prime example is World War Z, which showcased aggressively fast zombies, enhancing the horror. Series like The Last of Us also continue this trend, with HBO’s adaptation reflecting the frenetic energy of the original video game released by Naughty Dog in 2013. Remarkably, Garland’s initial inspiration has now shaped numerous gaming experiences, with 28 Days Later influencing titles such as The Last of Us, Days Gone, and Dying Light.

Looking ahead, fans of the franchise can anticipate the release of 28 Years Later, set to hit theaters on June 20, 2025.

Source: GQ

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