28 Years Later and the Undead Genre’s Enduring Influence

Movies centered on undead or infected monsters have existed for many decades—but 28 Days Later and the video game The Last of Us are frequently linked by critics, fans, and creators alike.

Director Danny Boyle is among those who acknowledge this connection. In a recent interview with IndieWire, he joked that he and writer Alex Garland deserve a share of the royalties from The Last of Us and The Walking Dead—works they helped inspire.

Why a Sequel Made Sense

Boyle explained that one key reason he and Garland pursued 28 Years Later was the sustained cultural resonance of the undead genre, amplified significantly by the success of The Last of Us and The Walking Dead.

"It was clear that it had sustained its popularity—not only the original film, but obviously the projects that build on the popularity of the idea. We always used to joke that we wish we'd got a percentage of The Walking Dead and The Last of Us and all this kind of stuff," he said.

Shared Themes, Distinct Origins

Released in 2002, 28 Days Later stars Cillian Murphy as a man who awakens from a coma to discover society decimated by a highly contagious virus. In contrast, The Last of Us depicts a fungal pandemic that triggers societal collapse and transforms humans into aggressive, monster-like hosts.

A Writer’s Candid Perspective

Alex Garland—who wrote both 28 Days Later and 28 Years Later—has openly praised The Last of Us as a more refined artistic achievement, particularly in terms of writing.

"The thing about The Last of Us was I was like, 'Oh, this is so much more sophisticated and moving.' I'm not dissing 28 Days Later. It's a nice part of my life. But seriously, The Last of Us is on another level."

Box Office and Cast

28 Years Later is now playing in theaters worldwide and has already grossed over $60 million. The post-apocalyptic horror film features Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Alfie Williams, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes.

The Last of Us Franchise Update

• Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us video game franchise launched in 2013; its critically acclaimed sequel arrived in 2020.
• A third mainline game is reportedly in development, though Naughty Dog has not officially confirmed it.
• HBO’s The Last of Us television series is set to return for a third season.