28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) Dir. Nia DaCosta

With 28 Years later coming in at number four on our favourite films of 2025, hopes were high for this follow up with director Danny Boyle handing over the reins to Nia DaCosta to continue this zombie nightmare.

We pick up immediately from the previous movie with young Spike (Alfie Williams) who was left exploring the mainland but confronted with a marauding tracksuit-ed gang called the “Jimmies”. Forced to fight and subsequently join the group, Spike is dragged along to enact their own brand of “charity work” (brutal violence) to anyone they come across.

Simultaneously we also revisit Ralph Fiennes’ Doctor Ian Kelson. Still living amongst the temple of bones, a memorial ossuary to the lives lost to the virus, he begins to experiment with a calming cure mostly made of morphine with one of the infected alpha males.

Early on I was reminded of The Dark Knight Rises? Why? Well, like that film it feels like they’ve dropped the main focus on the central character to explore larger themes of society in turmoil and vigilante groups exacting revenge. I like Nolan’s efforts in that film but it’s almost not even a Batman film at all. And perhaps better off not thought as one either.

So it’s ultimately a shame they don’t continue the story of Spike here. If anything his arc from the last film - learning to grow into a self-reliant young man dealing with the harsh realities of life (and death) - is jettisoned entirely. He merely becomes a spectator in this world.

However that’s not to say this new story and angle is extremely entertaining and disturbing throughout. The head of the gang is Lord Jimmy (all the members are renamed Jimmy in fact) played perfectly by Jack O’Connell. The actor is making a name for himself as nasty pieces of work (see Sinners) and is absolutely monstrous here. Cruel and unflinching, his main driving force to impose his cult-like retribution to others is horrific to watch. A grotesque barn sequence of torture will have all but those with the strongest stomachs flinching in disgust.

Fiennes is also magnificent here. Bringing his usual gravitas, the film adds a surprising amount of humour to the mix in some of his scenes. Dancing and singing around to Duran Duran and Iron Maiden really is a sight to behold. 

Another drawback sadly is the lack of an intricate plot. The gang’s religious satanic punishments and the doctor’s attempts to find a medical solution are the only two threads and are simple to the point of “not a lot really happens”. And those of a certain age will find the “Howzat” nods to Jimmy Saville as gruesome a reference as the real visual violence on screen.

That said, Alex Garland’s vitriolic script and Nia DaCosta’s assured direction expand on the themes and look of the previous film but without moving the story a great deal forward. And an end-of-story sting lines up further tales from this world too. Ending as more of a side-quel than a fully fledged sequel, those looking for a continuation may be slightly disappointed with this story, that circumnavigates threads built before. However, as mentioned up top, if you’re interested in exploring this world in general, it makes a great companion piece to Boyle's sequel with plenty of horror, tragicomedy and macabre spectacle to keep your attention and then some.

★★★★

4 / 5

Michael Sales

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