[Film Review] 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026)

The Bone Temple is the sequel to 28 Years Later that we deserve. Director Nia DaCosta took the beauty and spectacle that Danny Boyle gave us with 28 Years Later and turned it up to eleven. It’s darker, more disturbing and more… camp? Deliciously, delightfully camp.

The story follows Spike’s assimilation into the band of Jimmies, led by Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal. The farcical (but brilliant) introduction we got to Crystal and his gang at the end of Years is quickly forgotten, as we learn how they’ve avoided the hordes of infected and seemingly thrived on the mainland. Satanism was an unexpected direction for the Jimmies–after the Power Rangers-esque fight scene at the end of the last film–with far more disturbing scenes. Sir Lord Jimmy’s “acts of charity” are truly abhorrent, taking the horror to an entirely different, darker place to the horror of 28 Years Later. In Years, we saw what the infected were doing to the survivors. This time, we see what the survivors are doing to one another. A concept far scarier–when the future for the people left in Britain is so uncertain. But the wonderful Dr Kelson may hold the answer to that problem, a cure for those abandoned by the rest of the world.

The performances are incredible across the board and Chi Lewis-Parry gives us a lot more to talk about than the one thing we were all giggling about in Years. We see another side of Samson, the person behind the virus, and it moved me to tears. Ralph Fiennes gives his best performance to date and his scenes with Lewis-Parry were impeccable. The communication between the infected “alpha” and Kelson was so perfectly done, with much being said through micro-expressions and movements. There is a spectacular, stand-out moment from Fiennes that had the entire audience whooping, cheering and clapping. It’s been a very long time since I’ve experienced that during a film. And that scene certainly was an experience - my heart was racing with excitement, I had tears of joy in my eyes and my hands were clasped at my chest, while I held my breath in awe. Watching that scene on an Imax screen with 700 other horror fans gave me hope for keeping cinema alive. It was truly electrifying and I cannot wait to see this film with an audience again - films like The Bone Temple are made for that communal, cinema experience.

Jack O’Connell has definitely cemented himself as horror royalty with this role. He gives so many layers to Jimmy, a tragic character who is also terrifying, yet absolutely hilarious. All of the Jimmies are unique and it’s great getting to know each member of the gang and learn a little more about them. An aside, but I cannot write about the Jimmies and not mention the most exciting thing in the movie - there is a Welsh Jimmy! Sam Locke plays Jimmy Fox, who made me gasp because he sounds like he’s from the same part of the South Wales Valleys that I am. How did you get up North, Welsh Jimmy?! I’d love to hear more of his backstory, as I’m always excited to see fellow Welsh people on screen.

For me, this is the better of the two films in the new trilogy. It’s still expertly written by Alex Garland, but Nia DaCosta and new DoP Sean Bobbitt have smoothed out some of the camerawork that I didn’t enjoy in the previous film. It’s absolutely gorgeous, with well crafted cinematography and the aforementioned “that scene” is mind-blowingly shot and edited. The titular bone temple is more imposing than ever, both hauntingly beautiful and a harrowing reminder of all the country has been through in the last 28 years. The music definitely changes the tone of this installment, with inclusion of the iconic 28 Days Later theme, beautiful new score from Hildur Guðnadóttir and some truly epic, unexpected needledrops. What I loved about 28 Years Later was the focus on the people and their stories - the infected were mostly in the background. The human interest aspect was far more enjoyable to me than the pure horror and we get a really lovely balance of the two from DaCosta with the middle film in the trilogy.

The social commentary goes just as hard in the follow up, with a line about the NHS eliciting another cheer from the crowd. Dialogue about how we will continue to make mistakes if we insist on repeating history, was painfully poignant. With an American director and a British writer, there was the worry that some of the “Britishness” would get lost in translation. Sadly, the feeling of hopelessness at the rise of nationalism is a globally universal experience at this point in time. Where some of the British references lost American audiences in Years, the deep despair will be felt by all. Despite the heavy visuals, themes and commentary, it feels like an emotionally lighter film than the previous instalment. After the incredible reception from fans at early screenings, the third and final film in the trilogy has already been greenlit. It will be interesting to see what messages will be woven through the film, where the story will take us and whether there will be hope for Britain - both in real life and the virus-ravaged country on screen. 

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is made to be seen on the big screen–as big and as loud as you possibly can. It really is a rollercoaster of fun, emotion, shock, hope and fear. Watch with an audience, laugh, cheer and gasp with a crowd and experience the incredible final five minutes together… 

RELATED ARTICLES

---