The article contains major spoilers for 28 Years Later ending.28 Years Later star Jodie Comer addresses her character’s devastating decision. The horror installment follows a young boy named Spike (Alfie Williams), who starts to explore the mainland nearly three decades after the rage virus infected humans. However, with his mother’s worsening condition, he takes a journey to seek the help of a secluded doctor for a chance to save her. By the end of 28 Years Later, Isla (Comer) and Spike succeed in their venture as they find Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes). Unfortunately, Isla was diagnosed with terminal cancer and ultimately decided to be euthanized to end her pain.

While speaking with ScreenRant‘s Liam Crowley, Comer was asked why Isla quickly decided to take her life after just confirming her diagnosis. The star explains that Isla felt it was time to end her life after having suffered through so much pain. Although it hurts Spike, she knows that her son is safe and that Dr. Kelson’s counseling helped with the sense of safety and healing during the process. Even though the decision may sound selfish, Comer emphasized that Isla was “offered a way out” to die peacefully compared to other possibilities. Read the full comment below:

Comer: I think she’s so ready at that point. I think if you’ve ever been around anyone with an illness of this kind or I think when someone’s gone through an extended period of suffering, I think there is a real kind of insatiable desire for it to end and be over. And I think-

Williams: It already hurts Spike. That’s why.

Comer: Yeah. And she knows that he’s safe. There’s just something that Kelson provides them in that moment, whether it be an outlook or a sense of safety and kind of healing that I think she feels she has to go. You know what I mean? I just think there was an acceptance and a kind of readiness for her to be out of pain and out of the turmoil, which it’s interesting, isn’t it? Because it can almost appear quite selfish to be like, ‘Wow, how can you just leave?’ But I think it’s just kind of come to that point for both of them where they’ve been through so much and she is offered a way out and a way out that is much nicer than a lot of other possibilities.

How Isla’s Death Presents A Key Message In 28 Years Later

“Memento Mori” Becomes The Core Message About Accepting Death

Isla’s heartbreaking death is very effective in several ways. Considering that the 28 Later franchise has illustrated countless gory and brutal deaths at the hands of the infected, Comer’s character had the opportunity to choose a peaceful death to end her sufferings on her own accord. This was well-depicted in the movie’s first act, showing all the memory loss and discomfort she was feeling to the point of being bedridden.

Additionally, Isla’s death becomes a key part of Spike’s coming-of-age tale and the movie’s overall messaging, which includes the process of accepting death. Moments before the reveal, Dr. Kelson repeatedly mentioned “memento mori,” which is Latin for “Remember you must die.” This philosophy is crucial for Spike to cope with his loss, especially as the doctor tries to prepare him for the inevitable. Even then, Isla’s spirit becomes one with the Bone Temple, where her skull lies as a way to remember loved ones even during tough times.

As a result of these events, Spike decides to venture on his path, where he has to grow from a boy to a man, but does so of his own accord. He doesn’t return to the community, and his encounter with the mystery Jimmy will set the stage for 28 Years Later: Bone Temple. Isla’s death may still have an impact on Spike’s arc, potentially with his father Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) having to look for him. Their last encounter didn’t end well since it related to Isla’s situation, so the upcoming sequel may shift its focus to the father-son dynamic and the consequences of losing the family matriarch.

Our Take On Isla’s Death In 28 Years Later

The Ending Will Resonate With So Many Who Have Endured Similar Experiences

Even though 28 Years Later comes 18 years after the last sequel, it was worth the wait. Even though the horror installment continues with zombie themes as its setting, the story’s core turns out to be Spike’s stages of grief. This is evident, as the 28 Years Later protagonist becomes hopeful about finding a doctor to help treat his mother’s condition, only to end with her ultimate pᴀssing. It’s a story that will resonate with many audiences who have endured similar experiences, losing loved ones due to terminal conditions.

However, the impact of Isla’s death couldn’t have worked without the incredible chemistry between Comer and Williams, as the pair grows close during their travels, while Spike is desperate to help his mother. Additionally, Comer delivers the most gut-wrenching performance as she tries to soothe her son in their final moments together. It’s no wonder that the critical reception has been incredibly positive, thanks to the thought-provoking and emotional journey between the mother-and-son pair, with Fiennes adding a layer of depth. Now, it’s a matter of seeing how the 28 Years Later ending will impact Spike’s story moving forward.