‘Mind-bending’ horror film available to stream for free as sequel wows critics

A classic British horror film dubbed ‘mind-bending’ is now available to watch on a completely free streaming service as its sequel lands in cinemas.

28 Days later was added on online just days ago in a perfectly coordinated move to have it line up with the holy anticipated continuation of Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s series.

As of today, UK fans can see 28 Years Later on opening day across the country, with the new movie having already wowed critics and claimed a 95% rating on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes at the time of publishing.

But if anyone needs to catch up or reacquaint themselves with the original 2002 flick starring Cillian Murphy, which cemented his career, 28 Days Later is now streaming on BBC iPlayer.

Kicking off what would become a franchise – there was a less well-received follow-up in 2007, 28 Weeks Later, which Boyle and Garland only executive produced – 28 Days Later reinvigorated the zombie horror flick.

Audiences were introduced to Jim (Murphy), a bicycle courier who wakes up in a hospital bed after an accident to discover a deserted London.

While he has been in a coma over the course of nearly a month, the accidental release of a highly contagious, aggression-inducing virus has caused the breakdown of society. 

This blood-born Rage Virus instantly transforms its victims into the zombie-like Infected, who have a taste for human flesh. 

28 Days Later also starred Christopher Eccleston, Naomie Harris and Brendan Gleeson and is considered one of the best UK films of the 21 st century.

Boasting an 87% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes – and 85% from fans – the first film was dubbed ‘truly innovative’ and ‘a wild cocktail of campy, gory fun’.

‘The best purely British horror/science-fiction film in decades,’ declared Empire Magazine, while Atlantic City Weekly added: ‘You relish the fun as you jump out of your skin.’

But now, over two decades later, the verdict is in on 28 Years Later, with critics appearing thrilled by the new film.

In my five-star review for Metro, I called it ‘one of the most triumphant ever revitalisations of a franchise that transcends the idea of mere genre’ as well as ‘the most heart-wrenching, emotionally involving horror film I have ever watched’, which also turned the gore and terror up to 11.

I also praised its emotional power and ‘exquisite’ tension.

In another top-mark review, Ed Potton for The Times called 28 Years Later ‘an astonishing piece of work’.

‘The sense of hallucinogenic sweatiness won’t be to everyone’s taste but [Garland] and Boyle should be applauded for taking such big swings and having the flair and confidence to pull them off,’ he added.

‘Of all the things I expected going into 28 Years Later, the last thing on my mind was beauty. But here it is in abundance. Bounding far beyond the premise of most zombie movies, Boyle and Garland continually push our expectations onto the back foot,’ read ScreenHub’s five-star review.

‘This is an unusually soulful coming-of-age movie considering the number of spinal cords that get ripped right of bodies,’ mused Jake Cole for Associated Press.

In 28 Years Later, with the British mainland now quarantined – and patrolled by boats – survivors of the Rage Virus have been left to fend for themselves in the intervening years.

Newcomer Alfie Williams stars as Spike, a 12-year-old living on a small island community that has protected itself thanks to its connecting causeway, only traversable at low tide. 

His father Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) takes him on his first hunting trip to the mainland, but Alfie sees a glimmer of hope there for helping his ill mother Isla (Jodie Comer) receive a diagnosis – no matter the danger.

The film also features Oscar nominee and Harry Potter actor Ralph Fiennes and Sinners star Jack O’Connell.

A sequel to this one, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, was filmed back-to-back with Nia DaCosta stepping into direct.

28 Days Later is currently streaming on BBC iPlayer. 28 Years Later is in UK cinemas now.

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