---
title: 'Everything GREAT About 28 Years Later!'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=8xIV__Tb2rw'
video_id: '8xIV__Tb2rw'
date: 2026-07-01
duration_sec: 1215
---

# Everything GREAT About 28 Years Later!

> Source: [Everything GREAT About 28 Years Later!](https://youtube.com/watch?v=8xIV__Tb2rw)

## Summary

This video is a detailed scene-by-scene analysis of the film '28 Years Later,' focusing on its cinematography, score, and narrative choices. The creator highlights the film's beautiful yet brutal depiction of a post-apocalyptic world, the effective use of music by Young Fathers, and the performances of the cast. The analysis also touches on the film's connections to the previous installments and its setup for the sequel.

### Key Points

- **Brutal opening with infected children** [0:36] — The opening scene features a room full of children becoming infected, setting a brutal tone for the film.
- **Young Fathers score** [1:18] — The score by Young Fathers is described as interesting, unnerving, and effective, using a recording of Roger Kipling's poem 'Boots'.
- **Multi-iPhone rig for bullet time** [4:59] — The film uses a multi-iPhone rig to create a matrix-like bullet time freeze and spin effect for gore scenes.
- **Naked infected explained** [5:54] — The infected are naked because their clothes have been destroyed over years, and the nudity is achieved with bodysuits and prosthetics due to the actor's age.
- **Introduction of the Alpha** [6:41] — The 'Alpha' infected is introduced as a massive, terrifying creature that leads the horde.
- **Dr. Kelson's iodine paint** [13:23] — Dr. Kelson paints himself in iodine as a prophylactic against the virus, making him appear 'totally bananas'.
- **Isa's cancer diagnosis** [14:37] — Isa's illness is revealed to be cancer, not rage virus related, which is a gut punch for Spike.
- **Baby's immunity explained** [14:24] — The baby is not infected because the placenta prevents the mother's and baby's blood supplies from mixing.
- **Metal Teletubbies theme** [17:16] — A metal version of the Teletubbies theme song is used in a disturbing scene with characters dressed like Jimmy Savile.
- **Cliffhanger ending** [18:43] — The film ends with a cliffhanger, setting up the sequel 'The Bone Temple'.

## Transcript

Today's video is sponsored by Flicks,
the fun new app for tracking all your
movies and shows and where we can share
awesome lists and collections with each
other. More on that at the end.
VHS tapes have a limited lifespan, and
the more you play them, the more they
degrade. It's not even a statement about
this being late into the apocalypse. I
had plenty of well-loved VHS tapes, and
my apocalypse was much later on. The
point is, was Tinky Winky actually gay?
Was Jerry Fwell's little gay panic
theory correct? I guess we'll never
know. Most of the kids look a little
worried, but seeing the older girl
crying is rough. She's definitely old
enough to understand what she hears the
adults talking about. And since we're
back at the beginning of the outbreak,
some of the footage is a little low res
and grainier. Children have certainly
died in the two previous films, but to
have the first real attack by the
infected be a room of children is a
choice and sets the tone. This should
have prepared me for the Bone Temple,
but alas, it did not. It makes more
sense at the end, but the first big
cross we see is upside down.
>> This is a glorious day of judgment.
>> I get it. Especially if you devoted your
entire life, profession, even where you
live to a religion. And then it all
spirals this fast before you even have
time to consider.
>> Keep this with you. Always have faith.
>> He does, just not in who you intended.
>> Why have you forsaken me?
>> Apparently, he's a system of a down fan.
And we freeze for about four frames on
the upside down cross the way he'll
prefer it as an adult.
>> Young Fathers were not a group I knew of
prior to this film, but I'm a fan now.
So many interesting choices for the
score that make it feel connected to the
first two films, but also very much its
own thing. And the triumphant sound of
Promised Land during a deeply ominous
scene really makes this a memorable
opening. I'd live there even without the
apocalypse.
>> I mean, I'm turning into a real fan,
young fathers. Even in dystopia, got to
do them chores. But you love to see a
little community all working for each
other. They live in a society, am I
right? artwork that would get you sent
to the counselor's office at Spike's age
is now a prerequisite for existence. I
get it, man. It's a sad day when you
feel you're too old to bring it. But
even the hesitation is a reminder of how
young he actually is for what's coming.
That quick moment where you think they
might be keeping an infected mom chain
to the bed upstairs.
>> You're going off the island to the
mainland.
>> Yeah,
>> there's a baby.
>> He's 12.
>> Classic argument between parents to this
day. Their whole existence is brutal,
but Isa's health issues are a reminder
that avoiding zombies would be the tip
of the iceberg. Be
>> off. Yeah, we're screw.
>> And he gave her the bacon. That's a good
son. Pretty strong draw, boy. A long bow
for hunting deer needs to be bare
minimum a 40 lb bow. And this is for
hunting humans. That's a strong
12-year-old. They linger on Rosy's stair
just long enough to make us wonder.
>> If you leave, you can come back, but if
you don't come back, no one is permitted
to go and find you.
>> Brutal, but entirely sensible rule.
Personal autonomy while also keeping the
safety and longevity of the group in
mind. Also, it sets up the entire second
half of the film. For a movie filled
with disgusting pus corpses, some of the
shots of this setting are gorgeous.
7
11 5
moving up and down again.
>> Young Fathers use a recording of Roger
Kipling's poem Boots written in 1903,
which by itself is creepy enough, but
with their droning distorted guitar and
electronic soundscapes, it's a special
kind of disconcerting. And the poem
plays out for a full 3 minutes and 4
seconds, only ending when they come
across the first solo. But since it's
specifically about the monotony of
endless war intercut with clips of
children training, even if you're not
hearing the words, you're understanding
the vibe and it sucks. But for us
sitting comfortably at home, the whole
thing rocks.
>> It's the causeway. It's the only way to
the mainland. But we can only get here
in low tide. In high tide, the sea
covers it.
>> Can we swim it in high tide?
>> No. The sea has a current. It'll push us
past the island and pull us out with
sea.
>> Clever needed exposition mast as Jamie
quizzing spike and random nonsequittor
lesson for new parents. We learned a
little late. Only quiz your littles,
like toddlers, when you know they know
the answer. It builds confidence.
>> It's so big. If we get walking, we'll
get to a place where you can't see the
sea.
>> Amazing reminder that Spike has never
left the island before and likely has no
concept of the size of Britain, let
alone the world.
>> In the world,
>> it's a literal bird's eye view since we
see the crow is on its back. Close-up on
Spike makes this whole thing feel so
much more claustrophobic.
>> Nah, pretty sure I said nah.
Doc,
>> fun expectation subversion because these
moments are usually about the young noob
choking, but Spike pawns that slow, and
it's actually the lead Jaime that lets
his emotions arguably get in the way.
That said, clearly Spike didn't want him
to do it. So, Jaime holds off, showing
his son that he listens to him.
The score is interesting and unnerving,
and just the size of the herd really
sells the idea that it's BEEN 28 YEARS.
THE FOX SAYS, "Screw you. I'm out."
Immediately clocked that was the name of
the child from the beginning, but uh no,
I did not guess literally anything
correct about Jimmy moving forward. And
considering the Jimmy's usual charity,
this guy got off easy.
>> There are strange people on the mainland
roaming.
>> Correct. But he also has no idea.
>> The more you kill, the easier it gets.
>> Brutal lesson for a 12-year-old. It's
hard to show with YouTube censorship
requirements, but Danny Bole and his DP
Anthony Dodd Mantel used this almost
matrix-like bullet time freeze and spin
that they did with a multi iPhone rig of
all things that has a fun little flare
to the gore. They forgot attractive guy
who recounts everything great about
specific movies, but other than that, it
looks like they only had to create the
watchtower one.
Love this shot from below the ferns and
then through the carcass. Also, once
you've smelled or if you're really
unlucky, tasted venison that's been
spoiled by stomach acid, you never
forget it. So, rage zombies must smell
something special if Jamie likes it. I
really like it.
>> Appropriate reaction. Jaime's entire
demeanor changes here. He's been
confident, bordering on arrogant the
whole trip, but his immediate 180 here
is terrifying because this isn't
something normal infected can or even
would do. Just to break immersion here
for a second, you know that episode of
Friends where Rachel won't run with
Phoebe cuz she runs all crazy like a
kid. I feel like getting to play a
zombie in these movies would be like
that. Just pure abandon. Flailing your
limbs and you lead with your chest and
all while naked. Sign me up. Also,
having their clothes destroyed after
years of being infected in the
wilderness makes total sense. Also,
having naked zombies sprint at you is
somehow even more terrifying than if
they were clothed. It's kind of like an
evolutionary advantage for them. Who's
not taking that extra little pause to
check out all the dangly and flappy
bits, right? You agree with me? And this
is another well-written moment of
realism. Spike is an excellent shot.
It's obvious that the kids are trained
early, and even in low to medium stress
situations, Spike is on target. But no
one and nothing can prepare you for the
adrenaline spike of actual danger like
this. Another
win for Young Father's score. It adds so
much more anxiety to an already anxious
scene, but the addition of vocals to the
score really pushes it over the edge.
It's not diagetic, but it feels like it
is. The mask itself is unnerving, but
the lens flare makes it deeply
unsettling.
>> Alphas aren't like the others.
>> Terrifying pain around the alpha.
>> You did well, honestly.
>> Agreed. Especially for a first time out.
Good guy, dad.
>> Quarantine patrol. Probably French.
Well, they pushed the infection back
from the Eiffel Tower, so I get why
they'd be skittish.
>> You stop for nothing.
>> Where will you be?
>> Right behind you.
>> Between this moment with Spike falling
back down, and that line, I wondered if
we were getting a deep blue sea scream
or psycho type deal gives both moments
higher stakes. Goodness, this movie just
throws the most spectacular shots at us
randomly. With no light pollution, the
sky could look like that. Very effective
moment to have the splashing from the
alpha be the first noticeable thing.
and his footfalls are so loud and low it
makes him sound 10 feet tall. It was at
this moment that I remembered this film
opened by having a bunch of children
become infected and suddenly Spike's
safety no longer felt like a given.
>> The sound cutting out is so abrupt and
jarring. And when it kicks back in, the
orchestral score is still pumping as if
it was playing just for Jamie and Spike.
>> Wait,
we're [ __ ]
>> This makes total sense. We've seen that
the virus only takes seconds to take
effect. So Jenny has them wait for just
a little longer than that before
clearing them. But I've seen this movie
and somehow I'm still clenching. Great
reveal. The party we assume was
happening during their chase is actually
the one celebrating Spike's hunt.
>> I kept missing.
>> No, you didn't. He's humble. Oh, humble
Spike.
>> While Jaime's over exaggerating of
Spike's exploits makes Spike
uncomfortable. I think Spike is probably
too young to get the point behind it. I
don't think Jaime is trying to make his
son look good. They all live in a super
terrible reality, so they need things
like this to celebrate. Nobody there
cares if Spike actually shot that many
infected. They care about the feeling of
victory and the feeling that it's worth
fighting for the brutal existence they
have. Moments like this make me think
Spike might be the last person in the
village to know about these two. Dang,
rough to see on just so many levels. And
it speaks to Spike probably being too
young for any of this. The hunt,
learning about Kelson, the actual
situation his mom and dad are in, as
well as her declining health. It's all a
real bummer.
>> Felt sick. I wanted to be home with me
mom.
>> Your dad probably felt the same.
Infidelity aside, that's an awful but
necessary lesson for every kid that your
parents are also just scared people. The
body on his back makes him look like a
scary monster, which works at this
point, knowing nothing about the crazy
doctor.
>> Dr. Kurtson is odd.
>> How's he odd?
>> Some people think he's the devil.
>> What's really wrong with her?
>> I don't know.
>> Sharing.
>> I enjoy the buildup of what's actually
wrong with Isla because I think we all
assume she was maybe another dormant
carrier or it was somehow rage virus
related.
>> What would her Davey think about?
>> I said, "Watch your bloody mouth." It's
generally pretty easy for me to not slap
my children across the face, but I
appreciate that he clearly and
immediately regrets it. A traumatized,
emotionally disregulated 12-year-old
with a knife is a danger to everyone,
including himself. The quickness with
which he takes the knife shows he
understands the seriousness of the
situation, and giving it back shows that
he still trusts his son. Okay, that I
have done, but it's been over a decade.
Looks like Spike timed it so the tide
was just coming in as they left to stop
them from being followed or going back.
>> Can't go back, Tyson.
>> It's too dangerous. It's It's okay, Mom.
No, I know how to keep her safe.
>> And this is where Spike's anger toward
his father has taken over his common
sense. If there is anyone who should
know that Spike can't keep them safe,
it's Spike.
Hugging
again. So far, the most picturesque of
the 28iverse. Obviously, the first
message is about God and done with
paint. So, Jimmy had to fix that. Ah,
good. Some goo for a new level of
disgusting. Like I said, you should have
known, Spike. I mean, seriously, you
slept through that? And again, was it
just a cancer-induced anger outburst?
Could still feel rage virus related to
us. Badass either way. Fun fact, even
though I'm still blurring everything, no
one is actually naked because Alfie
Williams was 13 years old during
filming, so nudity wasn't allowed.
They're all wearing bodysuits and
prosthetics.
This was obviously totally cool for
Alfie to see. 28 Weeks Later was not
only gorier and more violent than the
original, but also had the eye gouging
scene, which stuck with us. Yuck.
Anyways, this is that scene for this
movie. A whole standard of Oh my god,
what is happening? The score trill alone
is enough to widen your eyes. Axial
skeleton flail. Hey, it's that one we
thought was Killian. A+ infected reveal.
Ha hell nice.
Jamie was right. Seems like killing is
getting easier for Spike.
Man, can we just for once not? But a
pretty awesome trap, even if it was
unintentional.
Brutal. Yeah, Tango is a British soda.
They used to have ads where a guy
painted orange would smack people
drinking it. Kind of like Kelson with
his iodine.
>> I'm not leaving. Thank you, daddy.
>> Jesus Christ. Can this kid get any more
up?
>> For real. This probably feels like a
hallucination for Eric. Entire team torn
to shreds in front of him runs into a
young boy and his mother. The mother is
calling the boy daddy. That'd be a big
old nope for me.
>> My best friend from school, he's a
delivery driver. Oh, you don't know what
a delivery driver is. You know, people
order stuff online. You don't know what
online is.
>> The reminder that the rest of the world
is just carrying on is still so jarring.
And this puts some of Spike's ignorance
about just like being a person into
perspective. He might not even really
know what a doctor is, just that they
helped sick people.
>> I don't understand what you're saying.
>> Still nice to see moments of Spike
actually getting to be a kid.
>> Something like a radio
>> but with photos.
Do you have radios?
>> You might have noticed the fax machine
56k internet logging on sounds in Isla's
head earlier and thought it was just a
sound design choice, but nope. She's
hearing that.
>> She's just being silly. Mom,
>> he's being a dick. Saved her lives. I
know a dick when I see one. and she
hasn't even seen Samson yet. 28 Days
Later had this whole look how pretty
everything is without the humans vibe to
it amidst the disgusting blood spraying
ghouls, which is often an apocalypse
trope, but Danny really nails it every
time he tries.
>> Well, let's go. Mom,
>> she can walk.
>> Labor and delivery. The only thing more
powerful than the rage virus for now. My
100% concurrent. I've only ever done
Isa's job. When she's with it, she's
with it. Got to assume if the baby
ingests any of the mother's blood, it's
raging out. Or maybe it'll be a
daywalker. All the zombie strength and
rage, but can't infect anyone and still
retains cognition. I'm literally writing
the next movie for you.
>> We're all insane.
>> But yeah, correct. Hard agree. This is
insane.
>> Never trust a quiet moment in the
28verse.
>> We can't let these [ __ ] breathe. We
need to kill it.
>> She doesn't look infectious.
>> Score pounding like a heartbeat is
really putting me AT EASE.
CRAZY HOW WE KNOW WHAT THAT SOUND WAS
without seeing anything.
>> Obviously, Samson's height and build
would be scary enough. And the way he
takes arrows without flinching is
terrifying. But if we're being honest,
the part that's really sending you
running is the absolute power tool.
>> Incredible intro for this character.
Love this little hint toward the next
movie.
>> Excuse my appearance. I I paint myself
in iodine. It's a an excellent
prophylactic. The virus doesn't like
iodine at all.
>> Not only is this a great way to help
explain part of Kelson's survival, it
also makes him look totally bananas, and
I love it.
>> I call this one Samson. He's lived in
the area a good 3 years now. I usually
keep my distance from him, of course.
>> Also, he is bananas, which is great. If
you pause here, I think it could
definitely be argued that the baby has
hetrochromia, making her immune to the
virus while also being a carrier, which
definitely has some implications for the
end of the film. And these jaws spoke
and swallowed. This is a monument to
them.
>> A truly horrifying sight, even if it
honestly makes sense in a beautiful way.
Personally, I think he just invented his
own Minecraft.
>> Alas, poor Eric.
>> It was worth a try. We find out later
that Spike can read and write, but he
probably hasn't read Hamlet. Definitely
a first world problem, but Kelson almost
has a dang, no one will ever get my
highbrow humor ever again moment here.
How interesting. The magic of the
placenta.
>> And it does actually make sense. The
placenta prevents the mothers and the
baby's blood supplies from ever mixing.
>> Isa, it would be helpful if I could
check your breasts under your arms.
Isn't that okay?
>> Probably an obvious thing, but I love
how polite Kelson is.
>> I think you have cancer.
>> Such a gut punch for Spike, obviously.
But even for us, thinking there was
something rage virus related and maybe
she'd actually be the cure to it all.
But yeah, that's not how these go. And
unfortunately, that's real.
>> Don't understand. You see, you can't
make me mom better. Spike's naivity of
how things work once again comes into
play. He thought getting his mom to a
doctor was all that was needed.
>> I can go and I can get it. Just tell us,
please.
>> There is no medicine that can cure.
>> Which is even true with all our modern
medicine now. But why would Spike know
that?
>> Momento Amoris. Remember, you must love.
>> As much as Momento Mory is Kelson's like
entire vibe, Momento Amoris feels like
where he's headed and what's really
underneath.
What could otherwise be a creepy shot is
contextually a very beautiful one.
The music hitting this drawn out
crescendo and the morphine induced
imagery does a good job of dulling the
sting of what's a pretty tragic scene.
And as a pretine holds his mother's
skull to face it toward the sunrise, I'm
blown away that it's somehow incredibly
poignant. Movies are wild. Young
Father's Remember is also doing a lot of
heavy lifting.
And I'm not being cute. Death is well,
you know, I don't really care for it
much in my movies, but in our modern
society, we don't always have to deal
with the dead like this. The idea that a
young kid has to hold his mother's skull
feels off. And at the same time, he's
getting a kind of closure that many of
us could never even hope for. It's a
full circle moment as the baby carries
his mother's remains in his shirt,
swaddled like a baby. He wanted peace
for her, and sadly, this was the only
way she gets that in their world. Spike
has visibly become quicker on his feet
over the course of the film.
>> I think it's time for you and the baby
to go home.
>> We can interpret that as it's not safe
for you out here, but personally, I
think Samson was there for the baby.
Mhm. Only one of the eyes is visible.
>> Dang. Bringing Godspeed You Black
Emperors, the sad mafioso from East
Hastings back from Jim's first stroll
through London for this moment.
And goodness, they're still throwing
gorgeous shots at us.
Yeah, it looks about right.
>> And a perfect moment for the track to
kick it into high gear.
>> Oh, wonderful shot.
>> I think anyone from Britain along with
some of us who happen to know the
unfortunate history immediately had a
moment of uh is that guy dressed like
Jimmy Seville? Which in and of itself
might make me just side with the
infected even though he's pretty decent
at this point. Hold, hold, [ __ ] go.
>> That might be the best call to action
I've ever witnessed. Perfect line
delivery.
>> This scene is absolute insanity. Let's
start with the music. A metal version of
the Teletubbies theme song on its own is
hilarious. Here, it's so disturbing.
Then the Jimmy Seville inspired outfits
are mega weird and seems to give them
superpowers. Then the joy they dispatch
the infected with feels so sketchy even
though they clearly know what they're
doing way beyond the Swedish military
team. These two helping each other out,
Grot and infected, smiling, looking like
they're working to get a good stretch.
The whole thing just feels so off. I
guess what I mean to say is we saw a
zombie rip a dude's head and spine out a
bit ago, and that didn't come close to
the ick this scene made me feel.
>> Who's that?
>> Now that's an entrance.
>> Hello, my name's Jimmy.
>> And their outfits threw me off for a
second and I forgot about the opening.
But there it is, the final confirmation
that it's that Jimmy. I didn't love 28
Years Later the first time I watched it.
I think mostly because it wasn't quite
what I was expecting. I liked it, but if
I hadn't made this video, I probably
wouldn't have thought about it or
watched it again. But as often happens,
watching it again made me enjoy it way
more. Sometimes the opposite happens.
I'll feel meh about a movie and then
spending more time with it exposes more
of its flaws. But my biggest new
takeaway is that it's beautiful and
weird, and Ray Fines could really do no
wrong, at least when acting. Remember
when you could say something like that
about male actors and there wasn't a 50%
chance it would age like deli meat? But
I can't stress enough how hiring a band
to do a score is just it's the best
possible thing. It's strange and
unnerving, epic, and moving when it
needs to be. I'm thoroughly impressed
with Young Fathers. Another large part
of my feeling is that it's truly only
half a movie. This and The Bone Temple
were shot back to back. And boy, do I
have some thoughts on that one. And if
you have any thoughts on The Bone Temple
or 28 Years Later, you need to check out
my sponsor this week, Flicks. a brand
new app I'm really excited about,
especially because I get to bring all of
you in when it's still really young, and
together we can shape the community in a
positive way. I'm always looking for
ways to track what I'm watching, and my
spreadsheet is fine, but it's lacking
in, well, anything other than being a
list. Flick lets me track movies and
shows, but it's also a great way to find
new stuff to watch, as well as to know
when something new is coming out. It's
built specifically for people like us
who actually love movies and TV designed
around intentional discovery, not just
an endless doom scroll trying to keep
you locked in. You can create
collections however you like, mood,
availability, whatever. It's the best
parts of Letterbox and IMDb mixed
together with its own rating system, so
you can get opinions from people you
already trust. I've started working on
my profile, which I'm hoping can be a
way to give recommendations, a thing I'm
asked about pretty often, without having
to drop a bunch of titles off the top of
my head, a thing I'm bad at. So, I'm
starting to build out some collections
now, both for you and to help me stay
organized. A feature I really love is
that you can even select a movie, and
Flicks will give you links to where you
can watch it right now. You can also get
notifications for when new episodes of
your favorite shows come out, all right
in one place. So go sign up. It doesn't
cost anything. And actually, they're
doing a monthly giveaway where the most
active users can unlock 6 months of a
streaming service for free. So if that
sounds useful to you, check out Flicks
and let me know what collections you
make.