What To Watch This Weekend: 'Elio' And '28 Years Later'

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Are you ready for a cosmic adventure that promises to be a stellar experience for all ages? Pixar's latest animated movie, “Elio,” hits theaters this weekend. Join 11-year-old Elio (voiced by Yonas Kibreab) as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. Will he be reunited with his aunt (voiced by Zoe Saldaña)?

For horror fans, the wait is finally over! The “28 Days Later” zombie franchise is back with “28 Years Later,” the third installment in the series that redefined the zombie genre. In this new sequel, a new generation of survivors (Alfie Williams, Jodie Comer, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson) sets out to find a legendary cure for a virus that has evolved into a deadlier strain. Can they succeed against all odds?

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Check out what we thought of the two new releases below.

Movies Out This Weekend

“28 Years Later”

Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer, Alfie Williams; directed by Danny Boyle

Arriving 23 years after the seminal “28 Days Later” redefined the zombie genre in 2007, director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland reunite to expand their apocalyptic universe with “28 Years Later.” The result is an ambitious, well-crafted installment that balances gothic horror with psychological drama, despite occasional shortcomings stemming from the narrative’s deepening complexity.

In a world still reeling from the Rage virus, the sequel introduces audiences to Spike (Alfie Williams), a 12-year-old boy born and raised in isolation on a fortress-like island just off the coast of Britain. Accompanied by his ailing mother (Jodie Comer), the youngster sets out into the ruins of a rotting “Mainland,” searching for the fabled cure or salvation, which he believes can be found in the form of a mysterious figure known as Dr. Sterling (Ralph Fiennes). What ensues is an odyssey that unfolds as a haunting mix of survival drama and emotional reckoning.

Over the years, the virus has evolved. The new Alpha strain retains the intrinsic nature of Rage — but twice as merciless in delivering sheer nightmare. Nevertheless, amid the pandemonium and the carnage, there are also pauses in sadness and welcomed silence, affording opportunities to reflect on the endured pains, loss, and sufferings.

Boyle amps the tension with raw, gritty cinematography, blending handheld digital perspectives with sweeping, desolate vistas to create an end-of-the-world atmosphere that feels almost poetic. Meanwhile, Fiennes brings some heft to his role, anchoring the film’s more cerebral moments. As for the newcomer Alfie, the young aspiring actor quietly steals the show with a debut performance that is vulnerable, electrifying, and hard to ignore.

Is “28 Years Later” as good as the original? Perhaps not, but it’s certainly got a hellish bite — and it lingers!

“Elio”

Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldaña; directed by Adrian Molina, Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi

In Pixar’s latest animated adventure, “Elio,” Yonas Kibreab voices 11-year-old Elio Solís, a shy, artistic kid, who lost his parents a few years ago. He now lives with his aunt Olga (Zoe Saldaña). In time, Elio inadvertently stumbles into the role of Earth’s emissary to the Communiverse, a riotous galactic confederation of alien civilizations. What starts as a case of mistaken identity quickly transforms into a profound journey of self-discovery, diplomacy, and the courage to find one’s voice.

At the center of it all is Elio’s unlikely friendship with Glordon, the misunderstood son of a fearsome warlord alien hell-bent on conquering the Communiverse. Their developing relationship renders the duo the most relatable characters in the film — delightfully flawed though recognizably human. As they embark on adventures, their connection deepens through shared empathy and a growing appreciation of what makes them different.

Directed by Adrian Molina, “Elio” offers classic Pixar magic, delivering a visual feast in every frame. The Communiverse captivates with swirling colors and an array of quirky alien species, each brimming with charm and uniqueness. However, beneath this dazzling spectacle, the film's true brilliance lies in its emotional core.

“Elio” transcends the confines of what is typically viewed as a children’s movie, presenting a narrative that resonates with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. In a world that often seems fragmented, the movie’s emphasis on empathy, connection, and belonging feels especially timely and important.