by Rosa Parra
One of my favorite films of 2025 was 28 Years Later, so I was eagerly anticipating the follow-up, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland, the film stars Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Chi Lewis-Parry, Erin Kellyman, and Alfie Williams. This installment continues the story of Dr. Kelson and introduces a new group led by Jimmy (Jack O’Connell), who claims to be the son of Satan.
What I loved about last year’s film was its brilliant exploration of the purpose and meaning of life. The coming-of-age zombie adventure was unexpectedly deep, but what set it apart was the introduction of Dr. Ian Kelson, portrayed by Ralph Fiennes. He is responsible for the Bone Temple, which, though initially morbid and psychologically unfathomable, serves as a tribute honoring those who lost their lives to the infection. It operates as a monument with funerary undertones. While traditional funerals involve loved ones bidding farewell, here, the deceased are treated with the same honor and respect despite the absence of mourners.
This integration into the franchise deepens its exploration of humanity and illustrates that ultimately, we can rely on no one but other humans for survival. Dr. Kelson experiments on Samson in the hope of finding a cure for the infection causing these catastrophic events. Meanwhile, we gain insight into Jimmy and his followers, revealing how they’ve survived and incorporated more members into their clan. The film showcases the brutal and gruesome realities these young members face, highlighting the severe and inhumane personas they adopt to survive within their group.
It becomes evident that the two main characters, cult leader Jimmy and Dr. Kelson, are destined to meet. As a film fan, I was particularly excited to see these two actors, Fiennes and O’Connell, deliver outstanding performances together. I’m delighted to report that they did not disappoint. We haven’t even learned the Oscar nominations for last year’s performances yet, but Ralph Fiennes deserves to be in the conversation for next year’s awards. He is absolutely at his finest in this movie, and there is one specific scene—a mini rock concert—that has quickly become one of my favorite sequences in film history. Yes, I clapped at the end of that scene because it’s that good. Jack O’Connell is equally incredible, perfectly balancing charm and charisma with sadism and maniacal behavior. The rest of the performances are strong, too.
Nia DaCosta’s direction also stands out. It minimizes overly shaky handheld camerawork and offers a more personal character perspective rather than immersing the audience in chaotic action.
The narrative is thought-provoking and powerful, with timely social and political relevance. Garland leaves audiences contemplating which evil is worse: an infected human who can’t rationalize their actions or non-infected humans who lack humanity and deliberately inflict pain on others. In the case of Dr. Kelson and his ongoing experiments, one can take away the notion that, no matter how harsh the circumstances, a human being’s humanity still exists. It just takes special care and patience to uncover it.
In terms of horror elements, this film excels at showcasing fast-moving zombies and effectively employs several jump scares. The horror spans from jump scares and psychological suffering to literal physical torture, all merged effectively into the story. The dichotomy between an atheist doctor and an extremist deity follower reflects our current societal state, paralleling many political and religious tensions today. Amid the dark horror, the film occasionally injects humor, providing a surprising contrast.
Overall, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple delivers a promising entry into the franchise while presenting a strong film at the beginning of 2026. Its thought-provoking narrative, combined with strong performances, makes it one of the best films of the year.
Rating: 9/10