28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Delivers a Bold, Twisted Sequel
Nia DaCosta’s 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple pushes the franchise into wild new territory, blending horror, dark humor, and standout performances from Ralph Fiennes and Jack O’Connell. Discover how this sequel redefines the saga.
Before its official release, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple was secretly screened for thousands of fans worldwide, earning an enthusiastic response from longtime followers. Directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland, this chapter picks up immediately after Danny Boyle’s previous installment, but the tone takes a sharp turn. From the opening moments, the film is intense and electrifying, easily the most daring and unconventional entry in the revived zombie-adjacent series.
New Faces, New Threats
The story opens just minutes after the last film’s conclusion. Spike (Alfie Williams) finds himself among the Jimmys—a violent cult dressed in the likeness of infamous predator Jimmy Savile, echoing his catchphrase,
“How’s about that then?”
Their leader, Jack O’Connell’s “Sir” Jimmy Crystal, was a mysterious figure before, but his sinister intentions are now front and center. Spike, barely surviving a brutal fight, is taken under Crystal’s wing as the cult tears through the infected mainland.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), known as Ian, continues his experiments on Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry), the “Alpha” from the last movie. Convinced he’s found a cure for the infected, Kelson must first survive a deadly encounter with the Jimmys.
A Smaller, Stranger Story
The plot stays tight and focused, moving away from the broader social commentary of Boyle’s film. Instead, The Bone Temple becomes a biblical showdown between good and evil, embodied by the two troubled adults in Spike’s life. DaCosta’s approach is uniquely offbeat: a home invasion by Savile-worshipping cultists, a stoner friendship between a man and an infected—these wild elements are just the beginning. The film’s final act is a chaotic, tragicomic spectacle, blending music and violence in a way that’s sure to split audiences. Comedy is more pronounced than ever, but it ’s handled with care—a dry remark from Kelson here, a dramatic gesture from Crystal there, and even Samson gets a laugh.
Spike, however, is the one character who never cracks a smile. While Alfie Williams was the breakout star of the previous film, his role is more limited this time, intentionally so. The focus shifts to Kelson and Crystal, with Spike caught in their crossfire, adding a sense of stagnation as his escape attempts are repeatedly foiled.
Standout Performances and Franchise Evolution
Jack O’Connell and Ralph Fiennes both deliver powerhouse performances. Crystal stands out as one of the most memorable villains in recent years—a showman with a chilling charisma that makes his cult leader status believable. DaCosta’s horror background shines, especially in one particularly tense scene that ranks among the franchise’s most disturbing. The film sidesteps the real-world implications of Crystal’s inspiration, instead using Teletubbies as a symbol of the darker side of ‘90s British pop culture. Fiennes brings a quiet nobility to Kelson, taking on a more active role and channeling a hint of his past work as M. Gustave in The Grand Budapest Hotel. The line,
“There are still faint glimmers of civilization left in this barbaric slaughterhouse that was once known as humanity,”
could easily describe Ian Kelson’s journey.
Fans will be curious about Jim—Cillian Murphy’s character from the original 28 Days Later and the planned lead for the upcoming third film. While details are kept under wraps, his cameo in The Bone Temple neatly connects the franchise’s beginning and potential end, depending on Boyle and Garland’s future plans.
Visceral Action and a Fresh Direction
Though The Bone Temple fits into the larger 28 Years Later puzzle, it feels more self-contained than its predecessor. It suggests the possibility of other directors exploring this universe, perhaps more intentionally than the misstep of 28 Weeks Later. Whether that’s the case or not, this film stands as a muscular, intense, and deeply rewarding follow-up. Fans craving more gore will find some of the series’ most brutal scenes yet, while those invested in the ongoing story will appreciate the hints at what’s to come and the strong character work. DaCosta proves she can craft a gripping story in this world, delivering her best feature to date.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple hits theaters January 14. For more, check out our 28 Years Later review and stay tuned for all the latest horror releases.