28 Years Later: Movie Rating Continues Franchise Trend

The upcoming film, 28 Years Later, is set to continue a consistent trend observed throughout the franchise concerning its movie rating, ensuring fans know what to expect.

Sony Pictures' 28 Years Later has received its official rating, which will likely come as no surprise to fans familiar with the franchise's history. This rating perpetuates a 23-year pattern that began with the original film.

Following an 18-year gap since the release of 28 Weeks Later, 28 Years Later will introduce audiences to a fresh storyline centered around zombies and a new cast of characters, headlined by Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Prior to its theatrical debut, 28 Years Later officially secured an R rating.

This new film joins its predecessors in earning an R rating, solidifying a trend that commenced with the release of 28 Days Later back in 2002. What does this rating entail for the viewing experience?

According to the Motion Picture Association's (MPA) Classification and Ratings Administration (CARA), 28 Years Later is rated R for "strong bloody violence, grisly images, graphic nudity, language and brief sexuality."

For context, 28 Days Later (2002) received an R rating for "strong violence and gore, language and nudity," while 28 Weeks Later (2007) was rated R for "strong violence and gore, language and some sexuality/nudity." The new film seems to be pushing the boundaries even further.

The Team Behind 28 Years Later

28 Years Later is directed by Danny Boyle and written by Boyle and Alex Garland. Garland is also involved in the upcoming Elden Ring film adaptation. The film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, and Jodie Comer.

The official theatrical release date for 28 Years Later is June 20, 2025. A sequel, titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, is slated for release on January 16, 2026, and is anticipated to be a major cinematic event.

Will 28 Years Later prove to be more extreme than its predecessors, given the evolution of filmmaking technology and potentially more explicit content?

Violence, Gore, and Graphic Nudity

The franchise has never shied away from the violence inherent in zombie narratives, and 28 Years Later appears to be maintaining this tradition. However, without seeing the film, it's impossible to definitively say if it will surpass the previous installments in terms of intensity.

It's worth noting that the last film in the franchise was released in 2007. While some films from that era showcased impressive CGI, 28 Weeks Later had a relatively modest budget of $15 million.

Although the effects were commendable, 28 Years Later boasts a reported budget of $75 million. This increased funding, combined with advancements in technology, could result in more realistic and impactful violence and gore.

The level of language in 28 Years Later is expected to be similar to its predecessors. The rating doesn't explicitly mention strong language, suggesting that it won't be significantly more prevalent than in the previous films. Is there anything else that makes this movie different?

However, it's significant that this is the first time a film in the franchise has included "graphic nudity" in its rating. This suggests that 28 Years Later will push boundaries further, potentially featuring more explicit and gratuitous nudity than the other films.

In conclusion, the R rating for 28 Years Later aligns with the franchise's history, promising a continuation of the intense and visceral experience fans have come to expect. The inclusion of "graphic nudity" hints at a potentially more extreme entry in the series, making it a highly anticipated release for horror enthusiasts.