If you watched the 28 Years Later trailer, there will be a number of things that freaked you out I’d imagine.
Whether it be Cillian Murphy as a weird seemingly zombified version of his 28 Days Later character, the background audio being a poem that the US Navy literally uses to psychologically torture its recruits, or just all of it, it was freaky and creepy.
One particular aspect that has had viewers on edge, however, is the use of the Teletubbies at the start of the trailer.
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In case you need a refresher, you can watch that here:
A tale as old as time, there are few things creepier than anything children’s related being incorporated into horrors.
Think Nightmare on Elm Street’s 'one, two, Freddie’s coming for you', or John Carpenter’s Halloween having ‘Black Cats and Goblins’ play after the credits - there are few things creepier than bringing something meant for kids into a realm of horror.
This is something that stood out to fans and put them on edge.
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One wrote on X: “I used to watch Teletubbies as young British kid…seeing kids watching it in the #28YearsLatertrailer gives me goosebumps.”
Another said: “The first film is top tier echelon of Horror. I’ve only seen it twice and it still haunts me.
“I know for a fact that opening of the kids watching Teletubbies is going to scar a whole new generation. Can’t wait”.
Meanwhile, others pointed to the idea that the Teletubbies have ‘always been creepy’, with another person saying: “Finally a team who understands how creepy Teletubbies is”
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If you were wondering though why specifically the Teletubbies, we have the answer for you.
As is obvious from the title of the film, it is set 28 years after the initial outbreak depicted in the first - or 10,228 days, according to the trailer.
The opening, however, appears to portray outbreak day.
This would be around when the first film was set, and while it is never outright stated, with it being filmed in 2001 for a 2002 release, it is widely believed to occur right at the turn of the century.
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The first movie takes place, of course, 28 days after the outbreak, meaning that we are firmly around 2000/2001.
The original run of the Teletubbies stopped airing in 2001 - meaning that it’s a perfect show to date the film.
Fans also noticed this aspect, with one posting on Reddit: “I have never been happier to see teletubbies.
“That scene at the beginning of the trailer, the way it's captured the look of 2001/2002 so well.
“All I've ever wanted from this franchise is a glimpse at the initial outbreak and if that's what (presumably) is featured I am so unbelievably stoked. Hope it plays out for a good portion of the runtime…”
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Another said: “I actually forgot the original film was from 2002, wondered why everything was so retro, they captured it absolutely brilliantly.”
28 Years Later comes out June 20, 2025.
Topics: 28 Years Later, Cillian Murphy, Horror, Film, TV and Film
Michael Slavin