We Need to Talk About the Massively Hung Zombie in 28 Years Later

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Spoilers ahead for the plot and ending of 28 Years Later.

Similar to “28 Days Later,” the 2002 collaboration between director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland, “28 Years Later” is filled with vivid and lasting visuals: an abandoned Shell gas station with the “S” charred beyond recognition, a tower of human skulls shaped like a cone surrounded by trees bare of leaves but covered in bones. In revisiting the world ravaged by the rage virus from the original film, the duo have crafted a complex and layered universe that is at times grotesque, at times breathtaking, and frequently bothersomely beautiful. They have also introduced a zombie character who is notably endowed in the area of anatomy that’s the focus of attention in every one of his scenes.

In a straightforward and engaging manner: I don’t casually employ the term “overpoweringly sizeable” in my conversations. Indeed, male nudity in movies remains scarce, making any instance of exposed male anatomy stand out—and there are quite a few instances in the film “28 Years Later”. The story is set so far after the initial virus outbreak that it’s plausible that the infected no longer wear clothes. Consequently, their private areas have become public spectacle. However, the prevalent zombie nudity is significant but becomes less prominent when we encounter the alpha (Chi Lewis-Parry), who seems to be the leader of the infected. He stands out due to his immense size, strength, and extraordinary endowment compared to his peers. As the movie unfolds, we discover that time has affected the infected in various ways. Some have become obese, slow, and weak, often crawling on the ground searching for worms to eat. Others are swift and ferocious like the zombies in “28 Days Later”, contributing to the intense debate over whether the term “zombie” is fitting. The alpha, however, exhibits extraordinary resilience, withstanding a barrage of arrows and removing heads with spines still attached. Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) nicknames him Samson, as Goliath might have been too obvious a reference.

In the film “28 Years Later,” there’s an extensive backstory scattered throughout, but the winding narrative focuses more on the journey than the rules of this world. The story follows 12-year-old Spike (Alfie Williams) and his father, Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), as they travel from their isolated village to the zombie-ridden mainland. Later, Spike returns to seek help for his sick mother, Isla (Jodie Comer). Unfortunately, the film neglects to clarify the origins of the alpha. The director, Garland, known for films like “Annihilation,” “Men,” and “Civil War,” isn’t one for straightforward explanations. The appearance of a well-endowed zombie does, however, spark several questions that I found myself pondering during the movie. For instance, did the rage virus cause Samson to have an unusually large endowment? (Although we learn it has steroid-like effects on some infected, steroids are typically associated with shrinking testicles rather than growth.) Does he take pride in this trait? Is his large size a result of being the alpha, or does his alpha status come from his size?

In this film “28 Days Later,” there’s a significant aspect to explore, particularly regarding the male nudity and the penis, which may surprise you. The opening scene shows the protagonist, Jim (played by Cillian Murphy), waking up naked in a hospital bed after a coma. The reason for his lack of clothing isn’t explicitly stated, but it could be due to a hurried hospital evacuation or perhaps being stripped during the process.

However, Jim’s bare body serves a symbolic purpose. To an audience unaccustomed to on-screen male nudity, this can be shocking. It signifies Jim’s vulnerability and the societal collapse he’s experienced while in his coma. Clothing represents civilization, while nudity symbolizes anarchy. The penis, in this context, indicates that despite the zombie threat, the movie is primarily about a regression to a more primitive state.

This theme is further explored in the third act when we encounter the renegade soldiers led by Major Henry West (Christopher Eccleston). They promise salvation as a ruse to lure women to their fortified mansion for sexual slavery. Even though they maintain a semblance of civility, within just 28 days, they have abandoned their humanity, succumbing to their most primitive instincts. They become potential rapists, aiming to propagate the human species.

In the movie “28 Years Later,” the frequent display of nudity serves both practical and thematic purposes. As it’s been almost three decades since the first outbreak, society has significantly deteriorated. The island community where Spike and his family reside appears relatively normal, but the mainland is completely deserted due to the U.K.’s indefinite quarantine. Any survivors must survive on their own. Consequently, the infected have taken over the territory since they’ve lost their cognitive abilities and cannot form a true civilization. These creatures are driven solely by instinct: hunt, kill, eat, and, surprisingly, reproduce.

In an abandoned train, Spike and Isla come across a pregnant infected woman. It’s revealed that infected individuals can give birth to normal (non-rageful) babies, as demonstrated by Isla assisting in the delivery. Throughout the rest of the film, Samson persistently chases after the child, suggesting he might be the father. This hints that the alpha male could lead due to his visible proof of reproductive ability. To put it bluntly, the alpha’s role as leader may be connected to his physical attributes associated with reproduction. It’s also implied that even in their confused state, infected individuals have an instinctive need to continue their lineage, which underscores a very basic form of societal structure. In other words, this scene illustrates a raw and fundamental aspect of society.

It’s quite possible I’m reading too much into this, but perhaps the character of the alpha is enlarged due to excessive makeup effects. However, considering the deliberate nature of Boyle and Garland’s work, it seems plausible that the penis is intentionally prominent. In 28 Years Later, similar to its predecessor, we see a theme of regression as Spike abandons civilization to live in the wild. The alpha symbolizing raw masculine power aligns well with this context.

However, there are questions that linger, such as whether Samson is impregnating infected women, and if so, whether they were already infected or became infected after conception. Additionally, it’s intriguing to consider what the infected do with healthy babies and how these infants manage to stay healthy. Dr. Kelson’s explanation of the “magic of placenta” feels like a convenient excuse. Here’s hoping that Samson and his notable appendage reappear in the next film, helping to clarify some of these uncertainties or at least confirm my growing suspicion that the title 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple might be a double entendre.

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2025-06-20 21:54