28 years later revived Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s popular zombie film saga, but its new sequel, 28 years later: The Bone Templeset another high bar for the franchise. Shots in a row 28 years later, The Bone Temple follows Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) as he bonds with the alpha zombie Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry) and attempts to cure him of the Rage Virus. Meanwhile, young Spike (Alfie Williams) reluctantly joins Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell) and his Satanist cult.
After 28 years later Introducing a comprehensive, new post-apocalyptic story, The Bone TempleWith its compelling characters, thought-provoking narrative and distinctive style, we’ve taken the franchise even further. Even though it’s only January, 28 years later: The Bone Temple has already proven itself to be one of the best films of 2026.
Nia DaCosta directed
Although Boyle wasn’t back in the director’s chair yet The Bone TempleFilmmaker His DaCosta (Hedda) preserves the punk rock spirit of 28 years later in the sequel. The imagery and action scenes in DaCosta’s film are very similar to its predecessor, featuring the same shaky camerawork and GoPro-style close-ups. We’re also treated to some stunning time-lapse sequences of the titular temple.
However, DaCosta differs from Boyle with a more balanced filmmaking style that builds on the shortcomings of the previous film. On the one hand, The Bone Temple No old footage of historical battles is included, making it a less jarring and more immersive viewing experience.
Also in contrast to the action-packed zombie adventure seen in 28 years later, The Bone Temple is more of a slow paced horror film and character study. Instead of relying on high-speed chases and jump scares to captivate audiences, the sequel focuses more on the development of the characters introduced in the previous film as they face new, frightening challenges. This approach creates breathtaking tension and a more grounded human drama.
A groundbreaking story
How 28 days later, The Bone Temple explores the darkness in the human heart brought on by societal collapse. As Jimmy and his minions, the Fingers, wreak havoc and murder innocents in the name of Satan, the franchise once again shows how humans can be even worse than the infected. The way they go from childish dancing and talking about Teletubbies to skinning people alive makes them particularly disturbing.
The Bone Temple also delves deeper into the extremes people are willing to go to survive and maintain some level of order. Ink (Erin Kellyman), for example, clearly doesn’t want to be part of Jimmy’s cult, but she’s so afraid of being alone in the zombie-filled wilderness that she desperately clings to Jimmy, committing bloody murders for him, and encouraging Spike to do the same.
She even accepts Jimmy’s twisted religious views and finds comfort in the more structured world of Satan and demons rather than a world of science and chance. However, when Ink accepts Kelson’s more atheistic views, we can feel the horror in her eyes at the thought of being alone in a dark, chaotic universe.
In total, The Bone Temple further blurs the boundaries between humans and infected people and emphasizes greater compassion and understanding towards the latter. 28 years later showed how there was hope for the infected when Isla (Jodie Comer) helped a pregnant zombie (Celi Crossland) give birth to a human child.
However, both Kelson and the audience gain more insight into how the infected think and how the virus can be stopped. After 28 weeks later suggested that a cure could be developed, The Bone Temple delivers on that promise through Kelson, which has strong implications for the future franchise.
A world full of captivating characters
Dr. Kelson was one of the highlights of 28 years laterespecially thanks to Ralph Fiennes’ exceptional performance, and the Oscar-nominated actor gets a much bigger spotlight in the sequel. We follow him as he emerges from his pit of loneliness by connecting with Samson and building an unusual and heartwarming friendship that we didn’t know we needed. Seriously, how often do you see an orange man dancing to 80s music with a naked zombie?
Samson himself is another highlight The Bone Temple. Thanks to Kelson’s kindness and medical knowledge, we discover how the hulking alpha rediscovers his humanity as his anger-induced psychosis subsides and regains the ability to speak and remember his life before the infection. While I asked why Kelson didn’t kill Samson 28 years laterI now hope that we will see more of the latter later The Bone Temple.
Spike goes through a similar journey while bonding with Ink. Although she encourages Spike to stay with Jimmy, her new friendship causes her to doubt her leader’s beliefs and ultimately escapes her murderous life by finding redemption much like Samson.
The Bone Temple also does justice to its main villain, Jimmy, after his brief introduction in 28 years later. The sequel unravels the layers of his character and reveals how his tragic childhood shaped him into the Mansonesque monster he is today. We see him trying to restore the family he lost and reconnect with his father, whom he associated with Satan after seeing him become infected and lead the zombie “demons” in their rampage.
But like many other cult leaders, we see Jimmy losing control of his followers as their faith and numbers decline. But when everyone believes Kelson is Satan, his faith is shattered and he resorts to lies and threats to stay in power. The selfish villain meets a fitting end when his former followers crucify him, and he imagines his “father” leaving him behind.
Jimmy is even more compelling thanks to actor Jack O’Connell’s menacing, charismatic performance. While he proved with his performance that he is capable of playing high profile villains sinnerHis portrayal of Jimmy makes him one of the most gifted and frightening actors in modern cinema.
While The Bone Temple Sony is setting the bar high for the franchise and has greenlit a third 28 Years Later film that might be even better. We’ve already seen the long-awaited return of Cillian Murphy as the series’ first protagonist, the one and only Jim, bringing the saga full circle. Hopefully Spike and Jim’s upcoming adventure can live up to the high expectations The Bone Temple.
