28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE Brings New Horrors & Revelations to the Franchise

It was only six months ago that the revival of the 28 Days Later franchise raged its way into theaters with 28 Years Later. Reuniting director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland, the film places viewers in the midst of a new world order nearly three decades after a virus devastated Great Britain. Shot back-to-back, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple continues the story, with Nia DaCosta stepping into the director’s role for a more gruesome experience at the hands of a new type of villain. But between all the carnage, the film surprisingly also has a wonderfully endearing side to it.

Young Spike (Alfie Williams) has only recently stepped beyond the safe confines of his island home. And already he’s found himself dealing with the horrors of the mainland when he crosses paths with the maniacal Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell) and his violent gang.

In an attempt to save himself from being a victim of their sick games, he reluctantly joins them as they ravage through anyone who has the misfortune of being in their way. All while Spike’s old friend Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) is finding a new sense of purpose while researching the infected by way of a very unlikely friendship.

One thing this series always does so well is explore the monsters that result from a world devoid of so much. While the infected are certainly something to fear, there’s a more insidious evil lurking within those not affected by the virus. And The Bone Temple does this by flipping between two characters’ journeys.

With the Jimmy gang, we see such depravity, and they are wonderfully led by Jack O’Connell, who obviously has a knack for playing these very unhinged cult leader types. Beyond his charisma is a broader twisted mindset that guides this group. They bring a whole new level of horror to this series, with some of the more horrifying moments at their hands rather than the infected.

Then that’s very different from what we see with Fiennes’ character Kelson, who has taken to a particular infected individual to learn more about what the virus does to the human mind and body. Kelson has so much compassion, something he’s held onto despite being isolated for nearly three decades. Fiennes’ performance was so captivating, and I’m glad we got to sit with the character a bit longer than the previous film, especially through his new friendship.

Which leads me to the biggest surprise in this entire film, which has to be the character Samson, the alpha played by Chi Lewis-Parry. He was such an intense character in the previous film, but in this one, we get to see him in a new light. The actor is able to convey a new range of emotions for the character that moves audiences in a totally unexpected way. And with this revelatory change, it thrusts that franchise into a new direction of understanding the infected and challenging our perception of them.

The Bone Temple was also quite a responsibility for director Nia DaCosta. A film that serves as a bridge between two Danny Boyle films, which is a long-awaited trilogy that reanimates a beloved yet partially forgotten world. But DaCosta proves she was beyond capable of taking on the challenge. She takes to a gritty horror film so well, which she first displayed in 2021’s Candyman. But I loved seeing how she captures this dystopian world while also pausing for the softer moments that so beautifully showcase the duality of this film.

I even enjoyed the film’s ability to be playful at certain times, without removing from the tone of the film. Especially with how music plays a large part in telling pieces of the story without needing to elaborate on its meaning. Using artists like Duran Duran, Radiohead, and one epic scene set to Iron Maiden. I thought that thread of music was a really impactful part of the story, especially for Kelson.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple provides a new sense of invigoration to the films. I love how it’s pushing the boundaries of this world, shocking and delighting us viewers with every twisted turn it takes. Seeing characters new and old finding their place in these films. It’ll be quite a treat to see what comes next.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is in theaters now