The latest instalment in Britain's iconic zombie franchise, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, arrives with a visceral punch, promising an experience so intense viewers might want to bring a sick bag. Released just six months after the long-awaited 28 Years Later, this direct sequel is a blood-drenched, tonally bold departure that firmly stamps director Nia DaCosta's vision onto Alex Garland's creation.
A Shift Into Extreme Violence and Dark Humanity
Picking up mere minutes after the previous film concluded, The Bone Temple follows scrappy survivor Spike (Alfie Williams), who finds himself in the clutches of a far more sinister threat than the Infected. He is captured by the gang of Sir Jimmy Crystal, a character brought to life with terrifying glee by Jack O'Connell. This film is not as outright scary as its predecessor but replaces that fear with extreme, sadistic violence and gore. It's a deliberate exploration of the humanity left behind in the wake of the Rage Virus, focusing on the monstrous acts survivors inflict upon each other.
The narrative force is Sir Jimmy Crystal, a full-blown satanist who delights in forcing his cult followers, or 'fingers', to perform acts of horrific torture. O'Connell's performance is a masterclass in villainy, mining gems of dark comedy from his line delivery while being obscenely nasty. The film makes a deliberate, controversial choice by having Jimmy and his gang dressed as Jimmy Savile, using the lens of a 2026 audience's knowledge of his crimes to add a deeply unsettling subtext, a move that will undoubtedly frustrate some viewers.
Standout Performances and Audacious Moments
In stark contrast stands Ralph Fiennes as Dr Ian Kelson, delivering another extraordinary performance. Kelson has adapted to the unforgiving world, calmly adding to his titular bone temple and exercising a remarkable dry sense of humour, including a standout NHS quip. His storyline intriguingly develops the franchise's lore, as he forms an unexpected bond with the Alpha Infected Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry), a former major antagonist now subdued by morphine.
Fiennes is also at the centre of the film's most audacious needle-drop moment, a scene so unexpectedly entertaining it drew spontaneous applause in screenings. This moment cements his role as one of the film's highlights, arguably risking overshadowing the teased return of Cillian Murphy's Jim, set for the next sequel.
Verdict: Bold, Bloody and Unmissable
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is a bold piece of filmmaking that will divide audiences. Directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland, it features a strong cast including Erin Kellyman and Emma Laird. With an 18 age rating and a runtime of 1 hour 49 minutes, it is unequivocally not for the faint-hearted.
The film releases in UK cinemas from Wednesday, January 14, 2026, and in the US from Friday, January 16. It is a brutal, bonkers, and unforgettable entry into the series that needs to be seen to be believed—just be prepared for the onslaught.
