Friday, August 08, 2008

28 Days Later An Analysis


28 Days Later is more than an update on the zombie horror flick. Several contemporary ideas are explored including the decline of Christianity, hedonism of Western civilization, and the increase of violence in our daily media. The brilliance of Danny Boyle is the duality of the picture. On one hand it is an entertaining thriller while on a deeper level psychological concepts like Carl Jung’s “Shadow” are realized by some of the characters. Many questions can be asked like; is Jim (Cillian Murphy) as aggressive as an ape? What does the Rage virus represent in today’s society? And why is Selena’s (Naomie Harris) character focused on survival? These and several other questions along with a basic plot synopsis will be explored in this analysis.


Early on in “28 Days Later” the early introduction of violence through new clips, it becomes clear that this will not be a smooth ride nor a regular commercial movie and that violence or aggression will be a theme during this movie. In fact, violence with aggression are symbolized in the “Rage” (28 Days Later) virus and in fact Danny Boyle specifically wanted to point out that the Rage violence was a representation of today’s increasing incidences of road rage, air rage etc. But why is our society experiencing more incidences of rage? The change of our culture from a spiritual society to a more consuming society is leaving many feeling trapped in certain societal roles. There are several scenes in the movie where symbols are used to express these feelings of frustration. For instance it’s more than a coincidence that during a tower block scene several fish in a tank gasp for oxygen as the water in their tank decreases. Also, in the first few minutes of the film a monkey is strapped to a chair and forced to watch multiply scenes of violence or aggression. This scene leads into another where Jim is tied in with intravenous tubes and has a scar exactly where the previous monkey had his electrodes tied in. Danny Boyle is alluding to the fact that both man and monkey in this movie are being exposed to vast amounts of violence through everyday media.


Another recurring theme in “28 Days Later” is the role of Christianity in western society and how spirituality plays a part in our present day lives. Danny Boyle uses religious symbolism throughout “28 Days Later” in the form of crosses, religious text and a priest to relay his spiritual message. In fact Jim’s first encounter with the infected is with a priest who swats at the air as if possessed. So, what is Danny Boyle saying about spirituality?

Simply that western society has become so influenced by consumerism and acquiring material that we are all bound for a wake up call. There is a reference to the book of Revelations with the phrase, “The End is Extremely fucking nigh,” written upon the walls of an inner city church. This points out that humanity is at an end, it is time for man to repent or be swallowed up by a Rage inducing virus. As well, Jim notices a postcard that reads, “It will be your grave for you are vile. –Nahum 1:14.” This is a verse from the bible that predicted the destruction of the city of Nineveh because the inhabitants were wicked.

Later in the movie the city of Manchester is seen burning like the city of Nineveh, a direct correlation to Boyle’s earlier message that we must change our greedy ways. The use of horses in an abbey scene and songs such as “Ave Maria” allude to a spirituality without convention and one that is more in tune with nature. Even an over flying plane becomes an angelic beacon of hope for Jim late in the movie.

During “28 Days Later” the concept of survival and whether an individual’s right for survival overrides the survival of a group comes up periodically in the film. Selena (Naomie Harris) who believes in her own individual survival sums up her position nicely when she says to Jim “Plans are pointless. Staying alive is as good as it gets.”

Not much later, she tells Jim “I would leave you behind in a heartbeat (If he became infected)” (28 Days Later).

While Jim is the antithesis or opposite of Selena in that he believes that the survival of the group is all that matters.When Jim meets Frank (Brendan Gleeson) and Hannah (Megan Burns), a small family living in an abandoned tower block, he says that he won’t leave them behind (28 Days Later). Selena replies “They’re desperate and probably need us more than we need them” (28 Days Later).

It is an interesting character development, in that Selena softens her position halfway into the movie and her survivalist beliefs are slowly eased by Jim’s opposing view. Danny Boyle uses this theme of group versus individual survival in several of his other movies including “The Beach,” “Sunshine” and “Trainspotting.” In “28 Days Later,” the theme of an individual’s right of survival versus that of the group’s right adds complexity to both the characters and story.

Danny Boyle uses symbolism to represent a transition in the later half of the movie and changes the tempo deliberately to prepare for the climax. Jim and his surrogate family reach the outskirts of Manchester where a blockade has been abandoned, to the infected. It is here that a crow, symbolizing death, infects Frank and leads to his execution at the hands of a soldier. There is another allusion to our consuming culture with the appearance of Major West (Christopher Eccleston), the name is more than coincidence, who has amassed a hoard of electronic goods while being highly corrupted. Also, there is lightning that symbolizes the impending conflict between Jim and Major West. While later, Hannah and Selena are dressed in red gowns and the colour acts as foreshadowing for the blood that is about to flow. Although many have complained of the change of pace during the last act of the movie this occurs either due to either budgetary concerns or intentionally to reinforce earlier themes of western decadence and spirituality.

In the end Jim comes to terms with a Jungian concept the Shadow while the infection spreads. But why the need for the Shadow? The Shadow is the dark side in each of us that must be integrated in order to bring wholeness to each individual. By harnessing his own inner brutally Jim is able to take revenge upon several soldiers who wanted to rape both Hannah and Selena. This is definitely not a kid’s movie and the last few scenes will leave most a little squeamish. While the ending is quite bloody the viewer is left with a feeling of hope.

“28 Days Later” amps up the traditional zombie horror flick while adding several sophisticated elements that make the movie enjoyable on several levels. Is the ending left open for a sequel? Yes, but the movie is complete in its own story. From beginning to end this movie is a thrill ride and an instant classic.

28_Days_Later_Official_Homepage

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Stumbled upon you site by accident from IMDB, however your analysis of 28 Days Later caught my eye and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

Both a solid movie critique and a fantastic analysis of theme, imagery and the numerous connections and questions of the movie.

I look forward to reading the rest of your work.

Michael R. Allen said...

Thanks Mark. I wrote this awhile before I figured out the comma, but I still think Boyle is alluding to a lot of themes in this picture ie. western corruption etc.

Thanks again,
Mike