Picking up right where 28 Years Later ended, The Bone Temple directly expands on both the story and ideas we were introduced to last year. Although it stumbles against the swift pacing and eye-catching direction of what Danny Boyle gave us, this sequel is an impressive addition to the franchise with a few game changing surprises of its own.
Alex Garland and Danny Boyle’s refusal to give us more of the same after 23 years sent this franchise in a bold new direction, elevating it above standard zombie fare. 28 Years Later introduced some truly thought provoking ideas surrounding the nature of the Rage Virus, and The Bone Temple brings those ideas to an even more fascinating realization. If you thought the last movie took some big swings, just wait and see where this one goes. There were moments that had the audience gasping and cheering in disbelief. It’s a testament to Alex Garland’s willingness to push genre boundaries with his script. It’ll leave you thinking about his ideas beyond the final credits.
The film is split into two plot lines. One follows the gang of Jimmys, picking up directly where young Spike’s story left off at the end of the last movie. The other centres on Doctor Kelson’s desire to understand the rage virus, and his risky, unorthodox bond with infected Alpha Samson. The movie struggles in its pacing as the two plots take a while to converge - mainly because one is far more original and interesting than the other. The Jimmy gang story is decent, but it feels more basic and far less bold than Kelson’s. Every time the film would flip back to the Jimmys, I found myself eager to get back to whatever Kelson and Samson were up to.
What really helps elevate the Jimmys portion of the film is the acting, as Jack O’Connell delivers his second great villain performance in less than a year’. Jimmy Crystal is psychotic and unpredictable, and O’Connell playfully embodies that kind of evil perfectly. Breakout star Alfie Williams once again brings a ton of emotion to his role as Spike. He conveys a crippling sense of terror, as the Jimmy gang forces him into their twisted rituals. Ralph Fiennes, however, is the MVP of this sequel. Doctor Kelson held a small but impactful supporting role before, but here he takes half of centre stage. Fiennes gives a thoughtful, funny and even heartbreaking performance. He brings a gentle, kind curiosity to Kelson, and that humanity is truly the heart of the film. I genuinely loved everything about how his character was written and acted.
Nia Dacosta’s direction is more stable and certainly less chaotic, but the film loses a lot of the creative uniqueness that Boyle brought to the last instalment. The framing is more cinematic, with an emphasis on lingering shots and steady camera movement. The production design continues to impress, giving the mainland a truly desolate and overgrown look (Garland sure loves his greenery). The practical effects and makeup look great once again, and Dacosta doesn’t shy away from brutal, bloody action. The use of licensed music is outstanding, with one show-stopping scene in the final act that’ll likely rank among audiences’ favourite moments of 2026.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple doesn’t quite hit the highs of its predecessor, and the switch in directors is felt, but this is no mindless zombie flick. Thanks to Alex Garland’s thought provoking screenplay and a set of standout performances from Ralph Fiennes and Jack O’Connell, this sequel has both bite and brains.
Rating: ★★★½
Review by: Benjamin Garrett