Boyle Teases Expanded Horror in '28 Years Later' Sequel

While it's been only 23 years since Danny Boyle's groundbreaking post-apocalyptic thriller 28 Days Later stunned audiences, fans are already eagerly anticipating the upcoming sequel 28 Years Later. Who's counting if Boyle and writer Alex Garland shaved five years off the timeline?

The new installment maintains the distinctive visual style that shook zombie fans with its sprinting "infected" and raw digital aesthetic, while introducing a cinematic grandeur that expands beyond its predecessor's indie roots. After screening the film's first 30 minutes, we spoke with Boyle about revisiting the Rage Virus outbreak.

A Wider Canvas for Horror

"We opted for extreme widescreen cinematography," Boyle tells IGN. "This format amplifies the tension from the original - the infected could emerge from anywhere on screen, forcing constant vigilance."

The film balances epic scope with intimate character moments that made the original resonate, while introducing terrifying new takes on the infected. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer and Alfie Williams, it promises familiar thrills with fresh nightmares.

From Outbreak to Isolation

Since 28 Days Later's release, Boyle and Garland periodically contemplated sequels (beyond 2007's 28 Weeks Later which they executive produced). A BFI rewatch crystallized their approach.

Rather than global outbreak clichés, they focused inward: "We reflected on Brexit and contemporary Britain," Boyle explains. The film depicts an isolated island community severed from infected mainland UK - a metaphor for contemporary isolationism.

Digital Evolution

Where the original used digital video's raw aesthetic, the sequel embraces modern alternatives. "We shot sequences using clusters of up to 20 iPhones," Boyle reveals, describing a "poor man's bullet time" technique.

Cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle helps achieve a cinematic 2.76:1 aspect ratio - typically reserved for epics - creating immersive dread. The team deployed experimental rigs ranging from 8 to 20 cameras for revolutionary perspectives.

Innovating Terror

"There's an extraordinary sequence using our 20-camera rig," Boyle teases. "It violently propels you into this world." The technique allows unprecedented flexibility - freezing time during attacks or capturing arguments with visceral proximity.

The director hints at disturbing imagery involving feral alphas and infected transformations that benefit from these innovations.

Character Amidst Chaos

The Boyle-Garland collaboration continues their strength merging technical innovation with deep characterization. "Alex writes physically demanding sequences while grounding them emotionally," Boyle notes.

The unpredictable multi-camera setups keep actors like Comer and Taylor-Johnson authentically unsettled, enhancing performances.

A Surprising Evolution

"This isn't the sequel people expect," Boyle concludes. While honoring its roots, 28 Years Later promises audacious reinvention - technically and thematically.

The film challenges conventions while maintaining the original's raw power, suggesting Boyle's zombie saga may spawn fresh nightmares for decades to come.