28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Theory Reveals Chilling Cult Origins
A new fan theory about Sir Jimmy Crystal’s cult in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple suggests his strict rules are tied to a tragic family past, adding a haunting new layer to the film’s villain.
Horror enthusiasts are buzzing over a dark new theory about Sir Jimmy Crystal, the menacing antagonist played by Jack O'Connell in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Fans believe they've uncovered the real reason behind Jimmy's strict rules for the size of his deadly cult, and the explanation is as tragic as it is unsettling.
In the previous installment, the film opened with a harrowing scene: a family home and a nearby church in Scotland are overrun by the infected, resulting in the deaths of several children and the local vicar. Only one child escapes—Jimmy. Now, viewers are speculating that Jimmy’s group of loyal followers, known as the “Fingers,” are more than just henchmen. According to one fan,
“The Fingers are called The Fingers but have more than 5 members but cannot have more than 7, this is because Jimmy is (I assume subconsciously) replacing the same amount of sisters he lost,”
wrote @pipeshotgun, sharing images of Jimmy’s crew and the terrified children from the film’s opening.
Symbolism and Sinister Connections
Another fan chimed in,
“Plus, 7 isn't even associated with the devil in the Bible. 7 is often viewed as a holy number. It's very clearly him linking it to his family,”
while a third suggested,
“Hear me out, it's for the 7 deadly sins.”
The theory gained more traction as others pointed out the cult members’ matching blonde wigs, with one user joking,
“Explains the wigs!”
and another adding,
“I thought it was only 7 because that was how many wigs he had.”
Within the film, it’s established that whenever Jimmy wants to bring someone new into his inner circle, the newcomer must challenge an existing member. The two then fight to the death, with the winner either keeping their place or taking over for the fallen. This brutal ritual keeps the group’s numbers tightly controlled, echoing the trauma Jimmy experienced as a child.
Haunted by the Past
While this theory remains unconfirmed, the movie makes it clear that Jimmy’s childhood horrors—especially witnessing his religious father embrace the infected as a form of divine cleansing—have shaped his actions in the post-apocalyptic world. In a surprisingly emotional exchange with Dr. Kelson, played by Ralph Fiennes, Jimmy reveals that he believes his father, whom he sees as Satan, still guides him through voices in his head.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is now playing in theaters, with a third installment already in development. For those eager for more scares, there’s a full slate of upcoming horror films to look forward to this year.