Danny Boyle‘s innovative filming techniques in 28 Years Later promise a horror experience that defies expectations, immersing viewers directly within the action. The acclaimed director recently shared insight into his latest methods, revealing how collaboration with cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle and purpose-built smartphone rigs reshape the visual language of this anticipated sequel.
Leveraging Unusual Camera Rigs to Heighten Realism
The upcoming film continues Boyle’s history of experimenting with technology, as seen in his use of digital video for the original 28 Days Later. This time, the director and Mantle utilized a rig designed for 20 iPhones to capture more explicit moments of violence. This approach disrupted traditional on-set dynamics, even among seasoned actors. Boyle commented,
“It’s a wonderful tool for actors to keep them guessing, especially experienced actors,”
—Danny Boyle, Director
He elaborated that professional performers typically familiarize themselves with camera positions and lenses, but this setup unsettled them, creating unfamiliarity that added to the authentic feel of their performances. As Boyle described,
“They get to know where the cameras are and they get to know lenses and they get to know what they’re doing. But this throws them. It’s like, ‘What!?’”
—Danny Boyle, Director
Story Follows a Family’s Survival Amidst Ongoing Horror
28 Years Later stars Ralph Fiennes, Alfie Williams, Jack O’Connell, Jodie Comer, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The story centers on a group of survivors who remain isolated on a heavily guarded island off England’s coast. When disaster hits, a father and son must risk everything to traverse the dangerous mainland still plagued by infection.
From Digital Camcorders to Smartphone Vision
Reflecting on his choices two decades ago, Boyle and writer Alex Garland originally selected digital cameras for 28 Days Later in order to mimic the sort of footage that might be found after a real apocalypse, lying abandoned around the country. Nearly thirty years later, Boyle notes that smartphones have replaced older recording gear, informing the film’s visual ethos. Utilizing rigs of up to 20 iPhones allowed the crew to achieve a wide 180-degree field of vision that draws the audience into the environment. Boyle explained,
“You feel like you’re in the room with Jodie Comer and her son, venting her rage at Aaron Taylor Johnson, like you’re in the abandoned train with the naked alpha and the unzipped spine and head,”
—Danny Boyle, Director
Visual Style Amplifies Tension and Unpredictability
With the increased width onscreen, there is ample space for director Boyle and his team to conceal threats, heightening suspense by forcing viewers to continually search the frame for lurking danger. Boyle said,
“We thought we’d benefit from the unease that the first film created about the speed and the velocity, the visceral [aspect] of the way the infected were depicted,”
—Danny Boyle, Director
He continued,
“They could be anywhere… you have to keep scanning, looking around for them, really.”
—Danny Boyle, Director
Long-Awaited Sequel Set to Debut This Summer
Following a decades-long wait since the original established a grim new tone for zombie apocalypse stories, 28 Years Later is now set for release on June 20. With its returning creative duo—Boyle and Garland—alongside a distinguished cast and the application of cutting-edge filming tactics, anticipation runs high among fans eager to see if the new chapter lives up to its predecessor’s reputation for redefining the genre.
