Back in 2002, with 28 Days Later. director Danny Boyle and
screenwriter Alex Garland blew up our expectations of what a
zombie movie might be by having the brain-hungry masses
running rather than the more traditional (Romeroian?) lumbering
menacingly. (Yes, I know. The drooling evildoers in this franchise
are not strictly zombies as they are not undead but rather
infected with the classically named “rage” virus.) 2007’s sequel,
28 Weeks Later, directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo) had the US
military trying to isolate the virus and create a safe area for the
survivors.

It goes without saying that this latest sequel benefits from our
having together undergone a global pandemic. Boyle’s back at the
helm and Garland at the typewriter, and they haven’t lost their
potency or their unique ability to shock and surprise. It is also, at
points, quite moving. Tech note: Boyle shot this largely on iPhones
and drone cams.

Now, a group of survivors ekes out a medieval living on an island
connected to the mainland UK only by a shallow causeway that
floods twice a day. The central character is young Spike (Alfie
Williams), who undertakes a mission to no-man’s land along with
his dad (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) to find a doctor for his ailing mom
(Jodie Comer). I’ll let you discover the A-list actor that revitalizes
the third act. Big screen, please. For the sound. (115 min)