28 Days Later (2002)

Animal liberation activists break into a laboratory and are caught by scientists while trying to release chimpanzees being uses for medical reasearch. Despite the scientists warnings that the chimpanzees are infected with "Rage", the activists release the chimps, then are attacked and the group is infected. 28 Days Later, and man named Jim (Cillian Murphy) awakens in a deserted hospital. He discovers that London is abandoned with signs of catastrophe. While exploring the area a group of "Infected" try to attack him, but he is saved by two surviviors Selena (Naomie Harris) and Mark (Noah Huntley). The group must try to survive and find away back to civilization.

Both terrifying and politically relevent. 28 Days Later succeeds on levels that other post-apocalyptic films could only dream of. Just as much a thriller as a study on human reaction. The film thrives on the emotional reactions of its charcters, and sensational performances from an unknown cast. There is something about films show off incredible talents, from before unheard of actors. Cillian Murphy is the star of 28 Days Later, his performance allows the film to keep its emotional power even throughout the slow moments. There are plenty of slow moments in this film, but the terrifying setting of post-apocalyptic London does not allow viewers any downtime. Danny Boyle has a gift of being able to signify emotions even in the most challenging subjects.

Danny Boyle shocked critics and audiences with his controversial portrayal of drug abuse in the film Trainspoting (1996). He then had his first box-office hit with The Beach (2000) with featured Leonardo DiCaprio. With 28 Days Later, Danny Boyle achieved new hights in his career. No big name actors were cast. So Boyle was able to focus more on the setting and storyline, rather than the complications that come with A-list stars. boyle's direction radiates and terrifying feeling for viewers. The "Infected" are shockingly terrifying. Boyle's direction is dark and uncompromising, viewers beware.

Political significance is a constant in zombie/post-apocalyptic films, and 28 Days Later is not exception. But what makes 28 Days Later different and wonderfully unique is, the way is perfectly studies the reactions of people facing certain doom. We have our crew of survivors full of hope and ignorance. Then we have our soldiers who unfortunately know the horrific truth. I will not reveal the cause of this disaster for not wanting to ruin the experience of this great film. 28 Days Later takes emotional and reaction study to a whole new level.

There is no end to the praise Cillian Murphy deserves for his performance. He plays Jim, a man who wakes up in a hospital to find himself in the quarantined city of London. Murphy does a near perfect job. He starts out as a confused and terrified loner, then he becomes an ignorant survivor, and finally he is a knowing animal. Naomie Harris has her breakout role in 28 Days Later as Selena, a survivor trying to be the tough leader, but hiding her true fear. Both Murphy and Harris were unknowns before this film, but they both have two great performances, and for a short while silence the critics who say horror films have mediocre and even amateur acting.

28 Days Later was a major box office success, grossing over 80 million worldwide while its budget barely reacher 5 million. Danny Boyle has shown us time and time again that he does not need A-list actors to make great films. There is nothing better for the film industry than films that have unknown actors having award worthy performances. Political undertones, horrifying setting, and plenty of violent scares are what make up this great film. 28 Days Later is a modern horror delight that is just as smart as it is terrifying.