After activists break into an animal research facility, a powerful psychological virus is unleashed on the British public with horrific results. Directed by Danny Boyle and produced by Andrew Macdonald (previous collaborations include Trainspotting & Shallow Grave), with a debut screenplay by Alex Garland (The Beach).
Transmitted in a drop of blood and devastating within seconds, the virus locks the infected victim into a permanent state of murderous rage, with no natural instincts other than to kill. Twenty eight days after the virus hits, Jim (Cillian Murphy, Disco Pigs) awakens from a coma in a deserted hospital, amidst a desolate London. At first completely baffled by what he sees, Jim walks around the haunting city trying to find signs of life, until he enters a church and is swiftly set upon by one of the infected.
Rescued by Selena (Naomie Harris, White Teeth), one of the few un-infected people left, they join forces with Frank (Brendan Gleeson, The General) and his daughter Hannah (Megan Burns, Liam), and together attempt to leave London and find salvation elsewhere. Having followed a recorded radio message, they find a group of soldiers outside Manchester led by Major Henry West (Christopher Eccleston, The Second Coming), who have set up a military base in an empty mansion. Thinking they are safe from harm, it quickly transpires that they have much more than the virus to worry about...