“28 Years Later” Trailer Teases a Haunting Return to the Rage Virus Universe

Screenshot from "28 Years Later"
Screenshot from "28 Years Later"

The first trailer for 28 Years Later has arrived, reigniting excitement for the zombie horror franchise that began with Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later in 2003.

Set nearly three decades after the Rage Virus first decimated humanity, the sequel revisits the apocalyptic landscape with a mix of returning favorites and new characters. Cillian Murphy reprises his role as Jim, who survived the original outbreak, while Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson join the cast in key roles. Comer plays a survivor born during the pandemic, whose life has been defined by the virus’s relentless grip on humanity.

“It’s been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, and now, still in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily-defended causeway. When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well,” the film’s official synopsis reads according to Variety.

Directed by Boyle and written by Alex Garland, the creative duo behind the original film, 28 Years Later seeks to balance the intense, gritty tone that made the franchise iconic with a fresh narrative. Garland, known for his work on Ex Machina and Annihilation, has hinted at exploring the psychological toll of survival over decades. The trailer teases a haunting, desolate world where the infected remain as ferocious as ever, and trust among humans is scarce. Sweeping shots of abandoned cities and forests set the stage for a tense survival drama.

The film’s ensemble cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, and Erin Kellyman, with O’Connell’s character reportedly laying the groundwork for a second planned film in what is envisioned as a new trilogy.

While plot details have remained vague, the film’s $75 million budget is significantly more than the original’s $8 million,which also featured Cillian Murphy who was unknown at the time, as The Guardian reported. Boyle’s return to the director’s chair has been met with enthusiasm, with many hoping he will recapture the groundbreaking energy of the original.

Scheduled for release on June 20, 2025, 28 Years Later will be the first of three films to expand the universe. Nia DaCosta (Candyman) is already attached to direct the sequel 28 Years Later II: The Bone Temple, adding a fresh voice to the series.

Check out the trailer below.