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28 Years Later: The Zombie Sequel That Outshines ‘The Last of Us’!

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As a devoted cinephile, I must say that after being left unsatisfied by the finale of Season 2 of HBO’s chilling series “The Last of Us,” I found solace in Danny Boyle’s gripping sequel, “28 Years Later.” In 2025, it stands as a beacon of what the video game adaptation could have been.

Similar to “The Last of Us,” “28 Years Later” offers a complex and captivating tale of companionship, survival, and guidance. However, it manages to surpass its predecessor by striking the perfect balance between intrigue and intensity, something that seemed to elude “The Last of Us 2.”

In essence, “28 Years Later” has demonstrated that the small-screen format isn’t always the best medium for delivering tense, heart-pounding horror. It serves as a stark reminder of the potential greatness that lies within the genre, even when adapted from popular video games.

Indeed, as Alex Garland, the author, points out, “28 Years Later” also took inspiration from the popular video game “The Last of Us”. Particularly, the narrative focusing on an older character leading a young survivor through a harsh wilderness and the heartwarming bond they develop resonated with him. In a captivating conversation with Neil Druckmann, the creator of “The Last of Us” TV show, Garland openly discussed his fascination with the game’s themes and skillfully integrated aspects from it into “28 Years Later”, resulting in a more impactful storyline.

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Basic Similarities Between ’28 Days Later’ and ‘The Last of Us’

Essentially, both “28 Days Later” and “The Last of Us” share a common theme: they’re zombie horror narratives centering around a viral outbreak. While “28 Days Later,” penned by Alex Garland and helmed by Danny Boyle, was released over a decade prior to the debut of “The Last of Us Part 1” video game, it significantly revitalized the genre by transforming sluggish, shambling zombies into swift, ferocious creatures with a strong appetite for human blood.

In the follow-up films titled “28 Weeks Later” (2007) and “28 Years Later” (2025), the catalyst for the story, known as the “Rage Virus,” originated from research conducted at the Cambridge Primate Research Centre. This virus was initially transmitted to three animal rights activists, causing it to rapidly infect the populace. Consequently, Europe found itself under attack by a horde of enraged, bloodthirsty creatures resembling zombies. Over the course of these two films, the genre of zombie fiction gained significant popularity in the cultural landscape, mirroring the rapid spread of the zombie virus itself. The television series “The Walking Dead” on AMC played a crucial role in reviving this genre and spreading its lore, maintaining its presence for 15 years and giving birth to numerous spinoffs.

Throughout that period, Naughty Dog and Sony Interactive Entertainment debuted “The Last of Us,” an intricately layered story about endurance amidst a lethal zombie virus. The game doesn’t rely on a lab-created virus; instead, it expands the zombie legend through its Cordyceps Brain Infection. Unlike the shuffling undead in “The Walking Dead,” “The Last of Us” introduces varying speeds among the infected, with Runners who dash much like those seen in “28 Days Later.

In essence, the main idea is that, following the growth and transformation of zombie narratives after 28 Days Later and The Walking Dead, content producers have been mutually influencing and referencing each other’s work. This connection is highlighted in Alex Garland and Neil Druckmann’s Creators on Creators conversation, where it’s noted that the adaptation of The Last of Us video game in 28 Years Later was more successful than Season 2 of the HBO series.

Alex Garland Claims ‘The Last of Us’ Is Better Than ’28 Days Later’

During a 53-minute chat moderated by Sony, writer Alex Garland from the movie “28 Days/Weeks/Years” sat down with Neil Druckmann, the mastermind behind “The Last of Us,” for a discussion about everything zombie-related. At the start of the video, Garland admitted that “The Last of Us” surpasses “28 Days Later.

Allow me to express my thoughts. In my opinion, ‘The Last of Us’ surpasses ’28 Days Later.’ What made ‘The Last of Us’ stand out for me was its intricate complexity and sophistication. It was almost like a challenge to improve upon what I had previously experienced, which felt invigorating.

Although there’s certainly a strong case to be made that the video game and Season 1 of “The Last of Us” surpass “28 Days Later,” it’s worth noting that “28 Years Later” significantly outshines Season 2 in many aspects. The first season of HBO’s series, released during the global COVID-19 pandemic, struck a chord with audiences due to its timely and relatable themes, making it a captivating success.

Following an exceptional first season, I must admit that “The Last of Us” didn’t quite live up to its potential in Season 2, reaching one of the series’ lowest-rated episodes (6.2 on IMDb). The underwhelming finale left many fans, including myself, yearning for a more satisfying conclusion regarding Ellie’s storyline. However, just when my love for post-apocalyptic zombies seemed to be waning, “28 Years Later” emerged as a timely savior.

How ‘The Last of Us’ Video Game Inspired ’28 Years Later’

In conversation with Druckmann, Garland disclosed that the later draft he wrote for 28 Years Later contained a connection to The Last of Us, indicating:

I developed a completely new story, which actually shares some similarities with The Last of Us. It’s interesting to consider how much our own stories are influenced by the narratives that have come before us. The Last of Us made a big impact on me, and it’s not surprising that my story is somewhat of a reversal of it – in this case, a child leading their parent through the landscape instead of the other way around.

The FX series ’28 Years Later’, as opposed to ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 on HBO, offers a more compelling and impactful take on the game by inverting its fundamental premise. The strong connection between Joel and Ellie from Season 1 is echoed in Spike’s daring quest to traverse treacherous wilderness to bring his ailing mother to a physician.

The tale was simply more captivating. To put it simply, it was essentially a family story, featuring a mother, a father, and their child. There was an intriguing element to it as well.

Garland found his pivotal inspiration for reimagining the script when he realized the profound emotional impact that “The Last of Us” had during its first season, remarking:

Initially, it was there, and it was in motion. Now, let me clarify, I hold 28 Days in high regard; I’m genuinely proud of it, considering it a significant aspect of my personal journey. However, I must emphasize that The Last of Us takes things to a whole new dimension. To answer your question directly, yes, certainly, it has had an impact on me.

In reciprocating the sentiment, Druckmann stated:

In “The Last of Us,” there’s an unbroken connection between the rapidly infected individuals and those who are already infected. They are ill, not resurrected. This is similar to Act 3 in “28 Days Later.” There’s also a clear link established between that act and the character named David.

In The Last of Us, there’s a straight line linking the swiftly infected and those who are already contaminated. They aren’t coming back from the dead; they are ill. This mirrors Act 3 in 28 Days Later. Similarly, there’s a direct connection between that act and the character David.)

Garland exceeded the dramatic impact of the Season 2 finale in “28 Years Later” by being inspired by “The Last of Us.” He incorporated a family dynamic and crafted a more fulfilling ending that paves the way for a fourth installment. As we move forward, it’s Druckmann’s turn to reciprocate and create a Season 3 of “The Last of Us” as captivating as “28 Years Later,” given that “28 Years Later” is now playing in cinemas.

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2025-07-06 01:33

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