Does Spike die in 28 Years Later? Details from the horror sequel, explored

28 Years Later is the third installment in the franchise and a sequel to 2007's 28 Weeks Later. The post-apocalyptic zombie horror film was penned by Alex Garland and directed by Danny Boyle. It was released by Sony Pictures Releasing on June 20, 2025.

Here's the official synopsis as per Letterboxd:

Twenty-eight years since the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, now, still in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One such group lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily-defended causeway. When one member departs on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well.

One significant character in the film is Spike, whose fate will be explored in this article.

Spike's fate in 28 Years Later, explored

28 Years Later features a character named Spike, who is played by English child actor Alfie Williams. Spike is the 12-year-old son of Isla and Jamie, and they live on the island of Lindisfarne in northeast England. Jamie takes Spike into the mainland region infested by the zombies, where the latter performs his first kill.

Spike realizes that his father has been cheating on his mother, Isla, and has even exaggerated his bravado. After learning about a doctor who could help, Spike departs with Isla to find a cure for his mother's illness, leaving his father behind.

As the two move forward, they realize that the people infected with the Rage virus have evolved and are more aware. They eventually save a non-infected baby, born to a woman infected with the Rage Virus, and meet Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), who provides them shelter.

Spike soon discovers that Isla has terminal cancer and remains witness to her death, which puts her out of misery. He then places her skull on the bone temple. After accepting his mother's death, Spike leaves to go to the mainland.

Towards the end of 28 Years Later, Spike meets a kid who was left by his father during the first outbreak, named Sir Jimmy Crystal. This scene was showcased in the first few minutes of the film. He saves Spike, but his energy hints at something sinister. Spike will also have a prominent role in the forthcoming film The Bone Temple, which will take the story forward. The film is slated to release on January 6, 2026, in the UK. The film is helmed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland. In conclusion, Spike does not die, but he loses his mother in the journey to find her cure.

The franchise began in 2002 with Boyle's 28 Days Later, starring Cillian Murphy as a courier guy who comes out of his coma to realize that a rage virus has caused the collapse of society. The film's critical and commercial success gave a new life to the zombie genre. It was also followed by a sequel titled 28 Weeks Later that came out in 2007 and was made sans Boyle and Garland's involvement.

28 Years Later can be enjoyed on Netflix.