Secret Cinema 28 Days Later review: The Hollywood News runs for its life at the latest interactive cinema event in London.
In the last couple of years Secret Cinema have gone from strength to strength. 2014 saw their adventurous Back to the Future event win over fans despite some hiccups at the start. They then followed that with last year’s super impressive Star Wars summer spectacle that had fanboys weeping with joy. Now the organisation have once again ventured into new territory as they tackle their first horror event with Danny Boyle’s brilliant zombie classic, 28 Days Later. Here, THN’s own Kat Hughes brings you her Secret Cinema 28 Days Later review.
The original 2002 film saw London ravaged by a deadly disease known simply as Rage. Our protagonist Jim awakens from a coma 28 days after the infection to a deserted and changed capital. He meets with fellow survivor Selina (Naomie Harris), Hannah (Megan Burns) and her father Frank (Brendan Gleeson). The group travel together to the rumoured Manchester safe-zone where they are taken in by Major West (Christopher Eccleston) and his men. Unluckily, the men may be more of a threat than the infected that stalk their ever movement.
Secret Cinema has managed to create an event which captures the atmosphere of 28 Day Later perfectly. The experience begins not as you enter the hospital, but rather in the days proceeding your visit. The website is full of informative information on the Rage virus and the importance of making your vaccination appointment. Once you’ve signed your self up it’s time to make your way to your designated vaccination point, and then the real fun begins.
We won’t go into any details about the journey from arrival to screening as that wouldn’t be fair and we wouldn’t want to spoil anyones experience. What we will say however, is that you should be prepared to run a lot, so no high heels. There’s no massive long distance running, but there are several short sprint sequences one after another. You should also be prepared to be temporarily separated from those that you arrive with, don’t worry you’ll be reunited (well unless the Rage gets you) and unlike other ventures this one offers men and women an ever so slightly different experience.
Secret Cinema shows are notorious for encouraging audience participation with dressing-up heavily endorsed. This time though, more than any other, the dressing-up is pretty much mandatory. Don’t worry, it’s all for the good of your evening, and your clothes, as there is the distinct chance that they may get soiled.
Once (and if) you make it through the gauntlet you’ll be rewarded with a screening of 28 Days Later. Make sure you keep your eyes open as this version comes complete with real-life actors portraying key scenes of the film. It’ll also potentially be the most comfortable you’ve ever been whilst watching a film in public.
Secret Cinema’s 28 Days Later succeeds once more in offering fans a once in a lifetime opportunity. A true chance to feel part of a horror movie, its immersive, inventive and gets the blood pumping and the adrenaline flowing.
The event runs nightly until the 29th May 2016 and offers fans of the film an engaging and heavily interactive experience of the movie. Get your tickets here.
Secret Cinema 28 Days Later review by Kat Hughes.
