Spoilers for 28 Years Later are below!
Summary
28 Years Latercontinues what director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland began with 2002’s28 Days Later, which introduced audiences to the Rage virus and the quick-moving infected people it created.28 Years Laterfollows a 12-year-old named Spike, who has lived his entire life in the quarantined UK, cut off from the world, with the infected allowed to continue thriving.
Spike’s journey sees him thrust into maturity at a young age, forced to cut loose his childhood attachments in an emotional story that finds him standing on his own, free from his father’s lies. However, the film’s final moments feature a quick scene that feels tonally different from the rest of the story up to that point, dividing audiences.It can feel jarring and out of place until viewers remember one key moment earlier in the film.
The Power Rangers Play A Big Role In The Ending Of28 Years Later
Early in28 Years Later, Spike is seen with aPower Rangerstoy,which he puts down before setting off on his first trek to the mainland with his dad.The world of28 Years Lateris stuck in 2002, and Spike has lived his entire life in a country that the rest of the world refuses to help. He has likely never seenPower Rangers,but that doesn’t stop him from forming a unique bond with the toy. This early scene shows that the colorful warrior impacted Spike’s life, even if he doesn’t understand its complete context.
Atthe end of28 Years Later, Spike is on his own in mainland UK, surviving however he can when he is suddenly forced to run from the infected. When his situation looks dire,a group of fighters wearing brightly colored tracksuits, resembling the Power Rangers, appear.Their leader, Jimmy, speaks with Spike as he dispatches his warriors into battle. The scene sees the colorful fighters defeating the infected in cartoonish fashion, utilizing martial arts and hokey elements. The scene feels bizarre and disconnected from the rest of the film, but it is also shot like an episode ofPower Rangers.It resembles something Spike is familiar with, setting the stage for the sequel.
The End Of28 Years LaterIs About Perspective
Whilethe ending of28 Years Laterfeels contextually weird, seeing it from Spike’s perspective makes all the difference.Spike has been through a perilous journey that saw him losing faith in his father and taking charge to try and help his mother. While his plan ultimately forces Spike into a deeply emotional place that sees him maturing before he was meant to, his story concludes with him setting off to carve his own path when Jimmy and his colorful warriors step in.
When the “Jimmies” arrive to save the day, Spike sees real-world Power Rangers. While he initially put down childish things to serve his father’s ideals, Spike now sees that his place as a hero, like he dreamed ofwith his Power Ranger, could potentially exist in this world.While28 Years Latertaught Spike to stand on his own, Jimmy and his bright team offer a disturbingly veiled threat that the young protagonist may not be ready to combat,which the already completed sequel will surely cover.
The Final Moments Set Up The Next Sequel,28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
The closing moments of28 Years Laterintroduce audiences to Jimmy, who is likely to be theantagonist of28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Jimmy’s introduction resembling Power Rangers also informs viewers about his state of mind, as he appears to be a delusional manchild. Jimmy was first seen as a child in the opening scene of28 Years Later, with those around him dying. He was forced to raise himself, leading to his immaturity. He has also embraced a twisted version of his father’s ideals, symbolized by his father’s upside-down cross worn around his neck.
Jimmy will likely seduce Spike into his evil ways, as the young boy will be drawn in by the promise of becoming a real-world Power Ranger. While28 Years Later: The Bone Templeis still under wraps, the movie has been filmed, with a release currently slated for January 2026. However, the plan is to turn the new resurgence of the franchise into a trilogy, with a third movie yet to be filmed. For at least one movie,Spike’s journey will continue under Jimmy’s thumb,with the young protagonist navigating the horrors of the world that he never anticipated.
Jimmy is currently set up as a hero in Spike’s eyes. Where the sequel finds him remains to be seen. Other charactersfrom28 Years Laterwill potentially play roles, like Spike’s father, who may attempt to find the young boy.The Bone Templecould also see Spike again enduring a journey on his own, overcoming unlikely odds to prove himself capable in new ways. While the ending of28 Years Latermay have divided audiences, it speaks volumes about Spike’s journey and where Jimmy will take things in the sequel.
