28 Days Later | 2002

Main Plot

28 Days Later is a post-apocalyptic horror film that begins with a group of animal rights activists inadvertently releasing a highly contagious virus from a research lab in the UK. The virus, known as the "Rage" virus, spreads rapidly, turning those infected into violent, mindless creatures. The story follows Jim, a bicycle courier who wakes up from a coma in a deserted hospital 28 days after the outbreak. As he navigates the eerily empty streets of London, he encounters other survivors, including Selena and Mark. Together, they struggle to find safety and hope amidst the chaos. The group learns of a potential safe haven and sets out on a perilous journey, facing both the infected and the darker sides of human nature. The film explores themes of survival, the breakdown of society, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Characters

• Cillian Murphy plays Jim, a bicycle courier who awakens from a coma to find a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a virus.
• Naomie Harris portrays Selena, a tough and pragmatic survivor who teams up with Jim to navigate the dangers.
• Christopher Eccleston is Major Henry West, a military leader with a questionable moral compass and a hidden agenda.

Ending Explained

In Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later, the film’s conclusion sees the central survivors—Jim, Selena, and Hannah—finding a fragile sense of hope after enduring the collapse of civilization and the threat of both the infected and predatory humans. Following a violent confrontation at the military compound, Jim rescues Selena and Hannah from Major West’s men, ultimately killing West and escaping with the others. The trio flees to a remote countryside cottage, where Jim is seriously wounded but survives thanks to Selena’s care. The final scenes, set some time later, depict the three living peacefully and signaling to a passing jet for rescue, suggesting that the outbreak may be contained and that help is finally arriving. The infected are shown dying of starvation, indicating the crisis may be ending. The film closes on a note of cautious optimism: the survivors have reclaimed a semblance of normalcy and family, and the arrival of the jet hints at the possibility of salvation and the restoration of order after chaos.