28 Days Later

Directed and produced by Danny Boyle, 28 Days Later is an apocalyptic movie focusing on one average protagonist called Jim (played by Cillian Murphy). Jim wakes up about 28 days later, after some chimpanzee attacks that have infected all Britain areas. Jim has to use his brain and wits to survive in this hellhole, trying to find some solace in an extremely desolate society.

The background of the story is pretty simple, and Cillian Murphy shines in his role as a lonely man who must learn how to accept humanity's depravity. Every action he does brings about unstated resilience and elegance that only comes from natural talents. Even amidst running gunfights and zombies, the actor always guides the audience to his everlasting questions on humanity's existential state with his determined manner and piercing, haunting eyes. Slowly, viewers can see how a regular and average guy like Jim turns into an entirely different person because of his difficult circumstances.

Though the movie can be somewhat derivative, 28 Days Later manages to complete all the goals it's set out to do and even more - scare viewers to death, then have them immerse in a provocative and uncommonly intelligent zombie flick. Overall, it's a movie that breathes some fresh air into common tropes, offering inventive viewpoints that are quite invigorating.

Year of Release: 2002

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%