With the newest installment of the 28 Days Later (2003) franchise coming out, I thought it was time to give the first one a rewatch. To be honest, I was so young when it first came out that I don’t think I ever really understood the gravitational pull of this film. It has been a long while since I’ve seen this film, so as anyone would be, I was unsure of how it would hold up. Movies from the 2000’s have notoriously been known to not hold up well. Every now and then, however, you come across a gem that can stand the test of time and 28 Days Later does that. Which raises the question, what makes a film a cult-classic?

Surpassing Low Quality

Despite the quality of this film looking like it was shot on an Ipod Nano, all the other pieces of the movie did its job to still make this an enjoyable story. Many times the quality of a film can deter you from wanting to keep it on, so what could have made this an exception?

Something that Danny Boyle seems to be very good at is evoking a melancholic and slightly dejected outlook of life. We see this in movies like Trainspotting (1996) and this also translates into his take on a zombie film in 28 Days Later. It’s in things like the unexpected cinematic direction and cinematography (i’m talking about those strange diagonal angles?!) that really brings out this unique perspective, which is nothing but helpful in the end.

There is also a strategic tone throughout the movie. From the muted and desaturated color palette to the somber and intense soundtrack, 28 Days Later feels like a thematic success. I think this more indie feel also helped balance out the quality issue in my rewatch. There is also a willingness to push it to an artistic limit in many aspects of this film. What I think works for 28 Days Later is that it appeared that everyone was willing to get weird. Whether it was an artistic dream sequence with over the top acting or a gory rampage filled with rage, you could see that there was an artistic passion felt from all cast & crew. Often times when passion shines through the screen that makes it a success.

We can’t glaze over the assortment of impactful characters and the engaging storytelling. It’s obvious that these are two things that should standout in any film, however, in genres like zombie horror, especially in the early 2000’s, this is something that was frequently lost. The movie starts off with Jim (Cillian Murphy) waking up alone. At first, we get the sense that he’s forced to face this tragedy alone, however, he is soon met with other characters. Characters like Selena who are strong but also focused solely on her survival. Together, the pair is dynamic but their differences causes friction on their journey together. Where one lacks strength, the other lacks empathy. A sort of yin-yang situation is given to us here. Throughout their journey, however, we see both characters develop in new ways. It’s this type of dynamic connection that allows the audience to root for them at the end and is a true standout aspect of the movie itself.

Reinvention

While many horror films these days use the tactic of showcasing the horrors of reality, this wasn’t as common in 2003 when 28 Days Later came out. This film is known to have “reinvented the wheel” of apocalyptic movies by highlighting the idea that something like zombies can be invigorated by something as simple as a virus. An idea that is scary for how all too realistic it is.

The unique narrative and intentional focus on characters found in 28 Days Later really made it a catalyst for the zombie horror genre. While many other films were focused on gore and action, 28 Days Later took a deeper approach. One in which we were able to see a reflection of the world. There are many ways to perceive the world, but there is also a harsh reality that it’s not perfect and this story does a great job at magnifying that. Perhaps it isn’t the first in all of the horror genre to do so, I mean many horror films hold a truth of reality, however, it was punchy and in your face so you couldn’t hide from it. The boldness to take this approach really made this an inspiration for the horror genre in general, allowing for more realistic horror films to follow after.

A Cult Classic

I think there is also a sort of campiness to this film that gives this film its cult following in addition to many of the elements that have made this movie memorable. Zombie movies are a dime a dozen, but 28 Days Later has managed to forge its own path because it follows the formula in its own way. In the end, it’s also a realistic and dystopian view of the world that not only felt relevant at the time, but also remains relevant today.

So, is something a cult classic because of the relevance? Is it the aesthetic and characters? Or does it offer up a unique perspective of the world that never changes? I think all can be true. In 28 Days Later we are offered the idea that a world of seperation, fear, and war can lead to horrible circumstances. Exploring these darker themes is not often something we like to do, but in movies like this we are able to look at the reflection.

It gives us a look at some of the darker themes in the world, but like many movies, we are also able to see ourselves in it. We are able to uncover just how similar we are to the heroes and villains. This is that Static Mirror. The reflection in which we are able to self-discover, embrace, and change.

Who do you think you would be in a zombie apocalypse? and are you excited to see 28 Years Later?

Song choice of the week: Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden