Movies

You Won’t Believe What Inspired the Terrifying Sprinting Zombies in 28 Days Later!

BBG News

Danny Boyle’s film, titled “28 Days Later“, featuring Cillian Murphy, revolutionized the zombie/horror genre upon its release in 2002, launching the career of the Irish actor and terrifying viewers for years with its depiction of rapid-moving “Rage Zombies.” Traditionally, such creatures moved at a pace slower than most grandmothers. However, screenwriter Alex Garland, who penned the script for “28 Days Later“, grew tired of that established trope and drew inspiration for the movie’s memorable fast-paced zombies from an unexpectedly intellectual source.

In a recent chat with GQ to discuss his remarkable cinematic journey, Alex Garland reminisced about crafting the furious zombies in “28 Days Later.” Not only a screenwriter, director, and novelist, but also an avid gamer, Garland contributed to the script of “DMC: Devil May Cry.” As you might imagine, the movie was inspired by one of the most legendary zombie games ever made. Garland shared that:

Devil May Cry.” As you’d guess, the movie was influenced by one of the most iconic zombie games out there. In the interview, Garland revealed:

Before penning the film 28 Days Later, there was a PlayStation game called Resident Evil that sparked a fondness for me towards zombie movies. Additionally, as I became proficient at playing the game, I often pondered, ‘The zombies aren’t particularly terrifying because they can be easily eliminated or avoided with a brisk stride.’

The first “Resident Evil” game, launched in 1996 by Capcom, had slow-moving zombies for players to shoot and effortlessly dodge. Surprisingly, it managed to scare many gamers (even with its polygon graphics) due to some exceptionally swift canines. Garland added:

In another aspect of the game, there were these swift dogs. Occasionally, they’d unexpectedly startle me with their sudden movements, creating an eerie resemblance to fast-moving zombies in a horror film.

‘28 Days Later’s Influence on the Zombie Genre

28 Days Later may not be the most iconic zombie movie overall, as that title arguably belongs to George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead (1968). However, 2002’s 28 Days Later certainly left a significant mark on the zombie genre, particularly with the chilling scene where the zombie priest charged at Cillian Murphy’s character, Jim.

Ever since the debut of “28 Days Later”, there’s been an increase in the number of fast-moving zombies in various media. “World War Z” is one of the most recognized instances, despite being only moderately successful at the box office, the speed of its zombies was genuinely frightening. More recently, “The Last of Us” has followed suit, with HBO’s series based on the video game of the same name by NaughtyDog, initially released in 2013. Interestingly, Alex Garland’s affection for gaming has come full circle, as “28 Days Later” served as inspiration for numerous zombie games such as “The Last of Us”, along with “Days Gone” and “Dying Light”.

As a cinephile eagerly anticipating the silver screen, I can’t help but share my excitement for the upcoming chapter in the chilling saga of “28 Days Later” – aptly titled “28 Years Later.” Mark your calendars for June 20, 2025, when this thrilling continuation will grace our theaters, promising to continue the heart-pounding tale of survival amidst a world overrun by the infected. Can’t wait!

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2025-04-19 16:34

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