What do zombies, heroin addicts, poor Indian teenagers and innocent Irish children have in common?  Nothing, except that Boyle can center a story around them.  A good rule of thumb:  if Danny Boyle’s directing, just go.  He’s proved time and time again that he’s both diverse and capable, and understands that the most important thing to any story - no matter what its subject - is humanity.

28 Days Later is one of the only horror films you’ve ever seen that has some psychological meat to its characters.  It’s not just about zombies; it’s about real people in this imaginary circumstance trying to truly cope with the fact that zombies abound.  It also explores the beauties and hearts of darkness that arise in the remaining humans who are struggling to survive - and all are given moments of empathy.

The film’s only weakness is its third act, which is somewhat inevitable (even Boyle couldn’t deny he was making a zombie film, after all).  Still, it’s a great ride with great drama, great technical filmmaking, and some good, old-fashioned zombie gross.