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)