28 Days Later changed the popular zombie genre forever by introducing a new threat to humanity in the form of the terrifying “rage virus.” Unlike traditional zombie movies, which usually center on reanimating the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, the virus in the 28 Days Later franchise affects living people, turning them unrecognizable and highly infectious. Due to this unusual approach to the genre, 28 Days Later is generally regarded as one of the best zombie movies of all time. While 28 Weeks Later was not as well-received as the original movie, the virus concept was exciting enough to continue the franchise.

After a break of 23 years, the groundbreaking zombie franchise is continuing with two movies, beginning with 28 Years Later, which will feature some major changes in the UK after the rage virus ravaged the main population. The movie’s highly disturbing trailer has provoked a lot of discussion over the story of 28 Years Later, and it is confirmed that Jim will feature in some way. The movie looks set to feature a cult, a coming-of-age ritual, and a changing rage virus. If 28 Days Later‘s rage virus is evolving, this could be very exciting for the franchise’s future.

How The Rage Virus Started In 28 Days Later

The First Human Victim In 28 Days Later Was An Activist

The first scene in 28 Days Later shows well-intentioned animal rights activists entering an animal testing laboratory, where a scientist pleads with them not to let the chimpanzee out. They had been trying to develop a drug for excessive anger, but because, as he says, “in order to cure, you must understand,” the chimpanzees were infected with uncontrollable rage. The comic book 28 Days Later: The Aftermath further explores the creation of the virus through four stories and reveals that the virus is a modified version of Ebola. This is considered canon, as the Ebola virus inspired the rage virus.

When the rage-infected chimpanzee is let out of the cage, it bites one of the activists in the neck as the scientist screams for somebody to kill her. She becomes dangerous within seconds as the infection takes hold, and this activist is the first infected human victim that 28 Days Later shows. She is the only character who gives any insight into what it feels like to become infected. As the chimpanzee continues its rampage, the last words she screams are, “I’m burning!” While the transformation looks violent, she is the only character to reveal how painful it is.

How 28 Days Later’s Rage Virus Works And Spreads

The Infected Are Aware For Just A Few Seconds Before The Rage Virus Takes Over

28 Days Later‘s rage virus takes hold within about a minute, and there are multiple ways that a person can become infected. Just a bite or scratch from the Infected is enough to transfer the virus, but it is also carried by saliva. This is shown in 28 Weeks Later when Don kisses the immune Alice and becomes infected. The virus can also enter through a mucous membrane like the eye, which is how Frank is infected with a drop of blood. The virus quickly takes over the host’s central nervous system, overriding every rational thought with rage.

28 Days Later redefined the zombie genre as the Infected are alive but unreachable. The first sign of the infection happens within seconds, with the Infected showing jerking movements before vomiting blood. Their eyes turn red, and many of the Infected begin tearing at their clothes and flailing at the walls. Shortly afterward, they begin to run and attack anything in their path. That said, the Infected are aware for a few seconds before the virus takes over, leading to one of the most harrowing scenes in 28 Days Later, when Frank has time to tell Hannah he loves her.

How The Rage Virus Changes In 28 Weeks Later & 28 Years Later

28 Years Later Might Introduce More Intelligent Zombies

The rage virus is not only extremely fast-acting, but it appears to evolve quickly, too, with 28 Weeks Later introducing asymptomatic carriers of the virus. These carriers, like Alice, are identifiable by the hemorrhaging around their eyes, and while they have none of the gory symptoms of the virus, they can still transmit it, as Alice does to Don. As the rage virus is evolving so fast, it is likely that 28 Years Later‘s Infected will be very different after the virus has had nearly three decades of time to evolve and possibly even mutate.

The 28 Years Later trailer suggests that some of the Infected do not act as we remember from the first two movies. One key moment shows a person standing still as the nearby Infected break into their characteristic wild run. If the mysterious figure is one of them, it is showing self-control that the 28 Days Later zombies did not have. As Don was shown to be more intelligent than the other Infected in 28 Weeks Later, the evolution may have continued. The ones in the trailer may now be running with a purpose, which is even more disturbing.

28 Weeks Later Revealed Rage Virus Immunity Is Possible

The Change In The Rage Virus Is Needed In The 28 Days Later Franchise

28 Weeks Later introduced the possibility of immunity, and this may be a significant plot point in 28 Years Later. The ending of 28 Weeks Later showed the children being flown to France as Don was finally killed. While Tammy appeared to be uninfected, Don had bitten Andy, who, like Alice, showed no symptoms. It appears that 28 Years Later has retconned the sequel’s end, keeping the action in the UK, which has been quarantined from the rest of the world. Still, it is not yet clear if the immunity storyline has also been retconned.

28 Days Later might have changed the zombie movie genre, but other movies have since caught up, getting more creative with the zombie concept. Fast zombies now appear in many horror movies, so 28 Years Later needs to do something different to continue the franchise’s success. 28 Years Later’s disturbing bone temple suggests the movie could feature a cult as its main antagonist, which could be centered on immunity from the rage virus. Either that or the Infected in 28 Years Later are beginning to behave like a cult themselves, possibly even embracing their anger and violence.