28 years later: a zombie film shot entirely with an iPhone 15 Pro Max!

The saga, which began in 2002 with28 Days Later, is a reference in the post-apo/horror style. The world of movie buffs is therefore logically in turmoil for the arrival of the third episode,28 years later(28 Years Later) ; this time,the craze is also due to one of the technical choices of its director, Danny Boyle. The film will be filmed entirely using aiPhone 15 Pro Max.

Afterthe movieLuck, published by Apple this summer, it is therefore the turn of this legendary franchise to passunder the ultra-powerful sensor of this high-end smartphone. The Apple firm also chose to provide technical assistance to the teams making the film.

A technical revolution in the world of cinema

The choice of Danny Boyle and his director of photography Anthony Dod Mantle to use the iPhone 15 Pro Max is not insignificant.This device offers impressive technical capabilities, including 4K video recording in ProRes format at 60 fps to an external USB-C drive.

A decision which is reminiscent of the audacity that Boyle had already demonstrated during the filming of28 Days Later,using a Canon XL-1 camcorder. At the time, these camcorders were mainly used for amateur filming or reporting. Ultimately, this bias gave the film its aesthetic character, characterized by a grainy image and a very cold color palette.

Filming under high security

The shooting of the filmtook place in the greatest secrecy during the summer; team members being kept silent by confidentiality agreements. However, it was a photo of Jodie Cromer, a British actress in the cast, captured near a cinema camera, which aroused suspicion (see below). A closer look revealed that it was actually a cinema lens attached to a protective case capable of holding an iPhone.

As you can see in the image, this case, in reality an aluminum cage, is designed to protect the phone and allow the addition of different accessories, including specific lensesto meet the demands of professional filming.

The film is expected for summer 2025, and we can't wait to see if the result will live up to the other films in the saga. Knowing the quality of Boyle's filmography (Little Murders Between Friends,A less ordinary life,Sunshine,Slumdog Millionaire), we dare to hope that28 years laterwill not be relegated to the rank of turnip.

• Danny Boyle's future film,28 years later, was shot with an iPhone 15 Pro Max.
• The phone was used in conjunction with a case to allow it to accommodate professional lenses.
• The film is expected in summer 2025.