28 Days Later (2002)

28 Days Later (2002) is a British post-apocalyptic horror film helmed by Danny Boyle and penned by Alex Garland. The cause of chaos is a highly contagious virus known as the ‘rage virus’, which is set loose in Great Britain when an infected chimpanzee escapes from its confinement at a laboratory in Cambridge, thanks to animal rights activists. One of the activists succumbs to the virus moments after freeing the enraged chimp, quickly spreading it to another individual. As hours and days pass, the illness spreads like wildfire and plunges society into utter chaos. Twenty-eight days after this catastrophic event, Jim – a bicycle courier who had been in a coma before the outbreak – wakes up at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, only to find it completely deserted with evident signs of destruction.

After wandering the streets of London and seeking refuge in a church, Jim narrowly escapes a group of infected humans. He is eventually saved by Selena and Mark, who agree to take him to their hiding spot in a nearby store. At Jim’s suggestion, they make the journey on foot to his parents’ home in Deptford. However, upon arrival, they discover that Jim’s parents have taken their own lives, leaving behind a note instructing him not to wake up. Realizing it is too late to return to their previous refuge, the group decides to spend the night there. In the quiet hours, Jim lights a candle and reflects on his family through old photographs, accidentally alerting nearby infected with the light. Meanwhile, Mark sustains an open wound during an attack and becomes exposed to infected blood. As they continue their journey, Jim and Selena meet Frank and his daughter Hannah at Balfron Tower.