I admittedly hate almost everything. I'm a huge horror movie fan but nearly all the new-ish movies people rave about I just don't understand at all. And I will add this one to the mix.

I saw this in the movie theaters back in 2002 and thought it was just OK but not a movie I really want to revisit again. Watched once more last night and ... I feel like it's such a total failure as a horror movie. I've always liked Danny Boyle and the film is directed and looks good, especially given the weird decision to shoot it on digital video for no obvious reason. The acting is just fine. I think Cillian Murphy elevates just about everything he's in.

Overall though it was not scary at all. Like, not even a little bit. The infected really lack the slow creeping menace of slow zombies and since they don't actually eat the living I couldn't tell what exactly they were trying to do other than vomit blood at us? What little action there was in the movie was so erratically shot that it really wasn't frightening. There were very few ideas about how many would behave in this situation and none of those ideas were original in the slightest. And the characters overall just so grim and joyless that I didn't like spending time in their company.

So I watched maybe 45 minutes last night and concluded "You know what? This movie SUCKS" and turned it off. It utterly failed to deliver character insight or depth like say the original Dawn of the Dead, and on top of that it just failed to deliver grue or thrills like say Lucio Fulci's Zombie. It's just a big boring nothing and awfully pretentious to boot.

Who's with me?

I like it, but I think 28 Weeks Later is better and more rewatchable.

Well I am not a fan. That could be because zombie movies bore me.

I love that movie actually. I see your points though but its one of the better horrors imo since the 90s.

I couldn't disagree more. I don't watch 28 Days Later too often, but when I do I am always drawn in. I think the idea of having Murphy's character wake up in the middle of the epidemic and having no clue what's going on is a near master stroke. Those eerie shots of a totally deserted London are haunting. So from the word "Go" I am into it.

I will agree with you in that this is not a genuinely Scary movie or anything. At times it lacks atmosphere, but not always. Even if there are no real scares Boyle is able to create palpable tension when it's needed. No, the infected will never be the definitive zombie type, but they are frightening in that the are quick and relentless. These things could actually run you down - to be honest, I don't know if that had ever been done before 28 Days Later. The infected were not lumbering idiots, and that's what made them unique.

I also like the mix of locations: taking us from an abandoned hospital, a deserted London, a cramped apartment, a car, open spaces and finally to that sinister mansion. One seems to get a wide scope of the situation as Boyle takes us from place to place.

Most importantly, I genuinely cared about the characters. That's the element which draws me in the most. It was a desperate situation, and I wanted at least some of them to make it out ok. To each their own though. If you don't like it, that's cool. But this film had an undeniable influence and kicked off the zombie craze which came in the following years. I do agree though that the original Dawn of The Dead is better. Not sure I agree with Zombie, but it's a close call, I'll give you that.

Hmmm...
I'll say the same thing I said to the original poster...
As a big, boring, pretentious nothing myself, I can speak on behalf on this film and admit you're right.

Still don't like the movie though.

As a big, boring, pretentious nothing myself, I can speak on behalf on this film and admit you're right.

Sorry, I love it personally.

The grainy feel of the picture I preferred over sleek, smooth; it rather suited it. I have to admit the scene with a desolate, vacant London always gets under my skin one of those moments that never fails to get to me. Since I'm easily scared so it got me at points. More than anything however is the characters who I loved/ hated. I always felt Cillian Murphy was very understated in this film, he doesn't speak too often but when he does there's something beautiful about how he approaches the character.

Naomie Harris is spunky! I'm not overly keen on the female/s in horror lately who seem to lack any kick assness (it's a real word...! ) and Harris was a rare breed in that, for the most part, she wasn't whining, crying, just getting on with life. And Christopher Eccleston, oooh he does creepy a little too well!

I always saw 28 Days Later as less about the infected but the journey which might have changed my perspective on this film but I LOVE it, love the score/ soundtrack, the actors & actresses. Yep big fan

Second best horror movie of the 21st century behind Shaun of the Dead.

I admittedly hate almost everything.

Sorry to hear that...

I love 28 Days Later...(2002) so I must disagree with your assessment...