‘Such bad taste’: Here’s why the ending of 28 Years Later is extremely controversial

28 Years Later is a legacy sequel like no other, and I’m not sure anyone who went to watch it this weekend was exactly prepared for what they were in for. There is much that is unexpected in 28 Years Later, and –  not necessarily to its detriment do I say this –  but the trailer didn’t accurately portray the character depth and emotion in this sequel. Whilst the 2000s films of the franchise had a gritty, feverish energy to them – the sequel surprises in different ways. The virus has evolved, 28 years is a long time – and everything feels more The Walking Dead like than the earlier films. There is one choice in 28 Years Later however that has majorly divided everyone – and that is all to do with the highly controversial ending.

Major spoilers for 28 Years Later and sensitive subject matters ahead – you have been warned.

The cameo of Jack O’Connell that sets up the sequel is the source of controversy

The highly controversial ending shows Spike going off on his own, and he gets saved by Jack O’Connell’s character Jimmy. For many of us, it’s instantly and chillingly obvious who ‘Jimmy’ has styled himself and his entire cult with ninja like Infected fighting skills after: Convicted pedophile and disgraced TV star Jimmy Savile. American audiences were confused over this, with not many of them knowing who Jimmy Savile was or the crimes he committed.

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For those of us that did, it was a chilling sight. It’s obviously very taboo for obvious reasons to see people dressed up as Jimmy Savile – let alone seeing this many of them. In a horror film, it’s the real life that is the most horrific. And worse still, 12 year old Spike in the company of Jimmy is very menacing. This will all be explored in a sequel film.

This decision in the film has been extremely divisive and controversial

I understand the final scene of 28 YEARS LATER is providing to be divisive but once you know the implications (just do a quick Google search for Jimmy Savile) it quickly becomes the most chilling scene of the entire film.

— Dan Marcus (@Danimalish) June 21, 2025

The decision to portray Jimmy Savile in any capacity in 28 Years Later has made it one of the most controversial ending to a film I’ve heard of in a very long time. The ending is clearly supposed to provoke conversation. It has to be noted that in the world of 28 Years Later, the original film showed the UK coming to an end as we knew it in 2002. This was way before Jimmy Savile was exposed – and therefore in this film’s universe he’s still somewhat of a national treasure.

However, portraying him like this in a film is receiving comments of Danny Boyle making a decision in bad taste – regardless of the point the filmmaker is making.

Just realised that jimmy saville wasn’t outed until his death in 2011, so in the 28 days later universe he’s still a highly respected individual.

— Swindle (@TenHarkonnen) June 21, 2025

Some fans are theorising that Danny Boyle and Alex Garland will be using the Savile references as a way to critique the culture of idolising celebrity. It’s a franchise that’s willing to reference and reflect real life, since Boyle and Garland have discussed how 28 Years Later is an allegory for Brexit.

One tweet blasts the decision, and says “not sure why filmmakers are allowed to get away with this sh*te, a disgusting filthy scene in my opinion.” But isn’t that the whole point? We’re meant to be repulsed.

What has Danny Boyle said about it all?

Danny Boyle explained “I asked Alex [Garland] right at the beginning to just tell me what’s the nature of each of the films, and he said that the nature of the first film is about family. The second film is about the nature of evil. And you’re about to meet a lot more of them when it’ll be more appropriate to talk about them in the second film.”

The second film, titled The Bone Temple, was shot concurrently with 28 Years Later – so we will see the continuation of that controversial ending when it hits cinemas in January 2026.

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