Popverse's top stories

• Former Amazon ComiXology execs plan to revolutionize digital comics with new platform Neon Ichiban - and Marvel and DC are already in
• The case for listening to audiobooks: accents [If It Bleeds, We Read]
• WATCH: Lord of the Rings' John Rhys-Davies hijacks our interview to talk Shakespeare, James Bond, and LotR (of course!) [Popversations]

Major spoilers for 28 Years Later follow.

At long last, fans get to return to the zombie-infested world that director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland first introduced in 2002's 28 Days Later, as the pulse-pounding 28 Years Later is now in theaters nationwide. In case you don't know, the film is the follow-up to both 28 Days and 28 Weeks Later, two zombie-outbreak films that take place in a quarantined UK, which has become ravaged by the monstrosity-creating Rage Virus.

The thing is, zombie fan, the story that you expected to see from this new horror sequel is almost certainly not the one you'll end up getting. And before we go any further, we should remind you that there are full spoilers ahead for all the details of that story. Still interested? Great, then let's dive into Popverse's 28 Years Later ending explained.

What happens in the 28 Years Later ending?

First of all, the movie that you probably thought you were going to see starred Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who plays a character called Jamie. And while Jamie is definitely important to the film, much of its narrative actually revolves around Jamie's son, Spike, played by Alfie Williams. Spike and Jamie live with Isla, Spike's mother, played by Jodie Comer, who is plagued by a mystery illness that affects her cognitive functions. When Spike hears of a doctor on the zombie-infested mainland of England, he breaks away from the safety of their secluded island community in order to seek out help.

Along the way, Spike and Isla of course encounter hordes of infected, and though Spike is pretty good with his bow and arrows for a 12-year-old, they get into a situation that spells certain death. However, they are saved by Erik (Edvin Ryding), a Swedish soldier accidentally stranded on the island. Spike tells Erik of their plight, and the trio continues their search for Spike's mystery doctor. 

But what they find first is something none of them have been looking for. In the car of a long-defunct train, the trio meets a pregnant zombie, and in a rare moment of lucidity, Isla helps her give birth. But this is a stretch too far for Erik, who pledges to kill the child and Spike and Isla if they don't let him.

Unfortunately for Erik, where there's a newborn, the father is not far behind.

Who dies in the 28 Years Later ending?

A super-strong, super-smart zombie called an Alpha attacks Erik, pulling his head clean off before the soldier can use his guns against him. Isla and Spike try to take the baby away, but the Alpha is too quick, and it seems like the pair have finally reached the end of their journey...

Until Spike's mystery doctor appears.

Blowdarting the beast with a chemical of his own concoction, the enigmatic Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), leads mother and son to the place he resides, a structure made of hundreds and hundreds of skeletons. But Kelson's reason for crafting the macabre location isn't some morbid religious fervor; it's kind of an above-ground cemetery. It is his way of respecting those who have died.

His 'Momento Mori,' he calls it; Latin for 'remember you must die.'

When poor Erik's own skeleton is added to the mix and the crew is settled, Dr. Kelson gets a chance to examine Isla as Spike wished. But what he finds is anything but comforting. Isla has an aggressive cancer, one that's spread to her brain and will cruelly continue to strip away at her identity until it finally kills her. With this knowledge, Isla chooses to end her life on her terms, allowing Dr. Kelson to kill her with a fast-acting, but merciful, poison.

Shattered at the loss of his mother, Spike feels that he has failed his quest and that all is lost. But before they part ways, Dr. Kelson imparts to him wisdom that brings him hope even in the face of utter tragedy. His mother chose to die as she lived, filled with love for her family. And though her story ended the same way as every human being's does, what was important was that she lived the way a human being ought to.

'Momento Amori,' he tells the boy. 'Remember you must love.'

With a heart full of pain but hope for the future, Spike departs the mainland. He is able to return to his island community with the baby in tow, who he has named Isla in honor of his mother. But while he leaves the child in the community's care, Spike feels that the home he grew up in is no longer his, and decides to depart for lands unknown. All this he conveys in a note to his father that Spike leaves with the baby, a note that says he will "return once he's ready."

Will there be a 28 Years Later sequel?

While that sounds like a pretty great place to end a story (and don't get us wrong, the story of 28 Years Later wraps up very well), it's not quite where we part ways with plucky young Spike. First, he's got to meet Jimmy, and to understand Jimmy, we've got to rewind the movie a bit.

In the intro of 28 Years Later, we catch a brief flashback to the early days of the Rage Virus. If you've seen the trailer of the film, this is that bit where those kids are watching Teletubbies while the world falls apart outside their door. Long story short - only one of those kids shown in the trailer survives, a young blonde boy named Jimmy. Before he dies, Jimmy's father (a priest) hands him a crucifix, telling him to keep it close always.

Now fast forward to the end of 28 Years Later, when we meet the same Jimmy... er, 28 years after the fact. Now, Jimmy seems to have built himself a new family of equally blonde, gymnastic zombie killers, who intervene to save Spike when he finds himself in a tight spot. Jimmy, who now wears the crucifix upside-down, offers a handshake of friendship to the young archer, teasing that, even after this, poor Spike has more growing up to do.

We know, of course, that the 28 Years Later sequel has already been confirmed. It's rage-running its way into theaters January 16, 2026, and is currently going by the title 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Now, we're no expert prognosticators, but we have to imagine that that has something to do with Dr. Kelson's skeletal living arrangements. And by the way the film ends, it appears that Jimmy's character will play a huge part in the story.

But maybe not as a hero... the way Jimmy carried himself was pretty cult-leadery, I have to admit, and his fellow blondies and himself all wore matching tracksuits. None of that spells anything good for a kid with a talent for a bow and arrow - just ask Hawkeye.

Does 28 Years Later have any post-credits scenes?

While this zombie outing is not the end of this saga (actually, there's a third film confirmed to be in development even after Bone) Temple, 28 Years Later does not feature a mid-credits or post-credits scene. So as you finish this film, quietly weeping into your popcorn and beer the same way I did, you're just going to have to let the acknowledgments of the cast and crew soothe you.

28 Years Later is in theaters now.

In the immortal words of Danny Elfman, "Life's no fun without a good scare." We couldn't agree more, which is why we've cobbled together a couple pieces to send a chill up your spine. Join Popverse as we explore:

• The best horror movies of all time, according to horror aficionado Greg Silber
• The most underrated horror movies from the past couple years
• All the new and upcoming horror movies for 2025 and beyond

And much gore. Er, more. Much more.