This week, we’re joined by returning guest Tony Wash — indie filmmaker and ScreamBox programming director— to break down 28 Years Later, the long-awaited third chapter in Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s rage-fueled zombie saga.
With a haunting performance from Jodie Comer, a bleak new island setting, and a script that leans heavily into themes of loss, survival, and what it means to live, 28 Years Later doesn’t just bring back the rage virus — it dares to make it personal.
Smarter Zombies, Slower Burn
We’re thrilled to have Tony Wash (The Rake, Skeletons in the Closet) return to the show for this deep dive into one of 2025’s most anticipated horror releases. In this episode, we explore:
- Why the rage-infected still feel like zombies — and why that matters
- How 28 Years Later trades military chaos for emotional stakes
- The film’s commentary on memory, mourning, and moving on
- Why one really scary zombie might be more effective than thousands
- And yes… the infamous zombie dong
Life, Death, and the Rage Virus
Set decades after the original outbreak, 28 Years Later drops us into a isolated UK where society has adapted — but not healed. The infected may be thinning out, but the trauma lingers.
We follow a teenage boy and his ill mother as they search for a reclusive doctor (played by Ralph Fiennes) amidst the zombie infested island of Britain. Along the way, the film explores grief, resilience, and the fine line between remembering the dead and becoming one of them.
The story avoids the usual “warring factions” trope and instead roots itself in human drama, evoking classics like The Road or Children of Men more than traditional zombie fare.
Not Your Average Zombie Movie
This isn’t just 28 Days Later with new faces. While 28 Years Later still features its fair share of blood, chaos, and fast-moving infected, it also plays with ideas about what it means to die well — and live fully. The rage virus is terrifying, yes, but what’s scarier is a world that’s forgotten how to grieve.
We also talk about the unexpected religious symbolism, the controversial baby subplot, and why 28 Years Later might be the most emotionally grounded entry in the franchise.
Tony also gives us the inside scoop on his latest project: Better Luck Than Chuck, a horror-themed trivia game show that’s part Saw, part Jeopardy, and all chaos. If you love horror and want to test your guts and your brain, this is one to watch.Not Your Average Zombie Movie
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode
If you liked this episode, check out:
🎙️ Our Interview with Tony Wash back on Episode 102!
🎙️ Interview with Tina Romero of The George A. Romero Foundation