Danny Boyle’s return to the “28 Days Later” universe is making waves—not just for its chilling storyline, but also for a surprising technical twist: parts of 28 Years Later were filmed using iPhones.
According to a new report by IGN, the upcoming horror sequel, 28 Years Later, used iPhones for some of its shots, continuing a trend that has gained momentum in recent years.
Director Boyle previously utilized iPhones for sequences in 28 Days Later (2002) to achieve a raw, documentary-style realism. Now, two decades later, the technology has advanced dramatically—making smartphones a viable choice even for major theatrical releases.
Boyle, known for pushing cinematic boundaries, used the iPhones to capture scenes that benefit from spontaneity and intimacy. Whether it’s placing the phone in tight locations or filming with agility in chaotic environments, the iPhone’s discreet profile made it an ideal creative tool for some of the movie’s more intense moments.
The film, which picks up 28 years after the outbreak of the Rage virus in Britain, follows a new cast of survivors as they confront the terrifying consequences of a society in collapse. Using iPhones enabled Boyle and his team to immerse viewers more deeply into this decayed world, giving scenes a documentary-style immediacy that’s hard to replicate with traditional cameras.
While most of the film was shot with professional-grade cinema equipment, including high-end cameras helmed by award-winning cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle, iPhones played a supporting yet crucial role. They were particularly useful for capturing raw, immersive angles and offering new visual perspectives, adding texture to the movie’s visual language.
Apple has made significant strides in promoting the iPhone as a tool for creators, especially with recent models like the iPhone 15 Pro Max featuring advanced camera systems, including cinematic mode, ProRes video, and Log encoding
Boyle’s use of the device in 28 Years Later adds to a growing list of directors who have embraced iPhones in their filmmaking toolkit, such as Steven Soderbergh (Unsane, High Flying Bird) and Sean Baker (Tangerine).
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“Director Boyle previously utilized iPhones for sequences in 28 Days Later (2002) to achieve a raw, documentary-style realism.” How in the hell were iPhones used — presumably in 2000 or 2001 for a film released in 2002 — when we didn’t even they existed until early-2007?!