28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Movie Review

Released: 13th January 2026

Length: 109 Minutes

Certificate: 18

Director: Nia DaCosta

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell, Alfie Williams, Erin Kellyman, Chi Lewis-Parry, Emma Laird and Sam Locke

After years in hibernation, the 28 Days Later series returned in 2025, picking up with the running dead and adopting a more emotional tone. The wait for the follow-up was short and has ultimately been worth it. Not only is 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple a vast improvement over the last film, it finds a place among the best films of 2026.

The film picks up right where the last one left off; the young Spike (Alfie Williams) has left his gated island community behind to find his own way in the world, only to be taken in by Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connel) and his band of wig-wearing delinquents. The boy starts to experience the absolute worst of humanity, vile deeds that are contrasted and eventually cross over with the continuing projects of Dr Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes). After so many years of study and construction, Kelson begins to connect and communicate with the infected, led by a powerful alpha named Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry). The two plot threads coalesce seamlessly with some occasional cuts to other survivors who run afoul of threats from both sides. Last year’s 28 Years Later was a slower, naturalistic return to the franchise; The Bone Temple goes much deeper and darker. This is an unflinching, grisly affair that wears its 18 rating with pride; one truly sickening sequence will turn many audience’s stomachs. Yet it also goes further, using its characters to convey differing views on the world and how to survive, often with very little dialogue. The film represents a turning point for the infection while blending all of its components together.

Alfie Williams continues to do great work, but with his personal story established, Spike steps back into a smaller role, allowing Jimmy and Dr Kelson to take centre stage. Both are brilliant characters that represent the two sides of this broken world. One is a sadistic, manipulative bully who takes great pleasure in torturing his victims; the other is deeply empathetic, seeking to understand the infected as well as the humans around him. Jack O’Connell has proven himself to be a superb fit for villainous antagonists while Ralph Fiennes maintains his character’s warm and accepting nature. The bond that forms between him and Samson is surprisingly heartfelt and so much of Ian’s backstory is conveyed through Ralph’s facial expressions and the surrounding environment. The only gap is how some of Jimmy’s underlings don’t receive much development or backstory, but the main leads make up for this by a mile.

The same beautiful cinematography is present for The Bone Temple, but this time the camerawork is adapted to match the two main storylines. When Jimmy’s group commits unspeakable acts, the shots are raw and visceral, enhancing the more disturbing scenes. But when Kelson is on-screen, the camera is slow, steady and serene, reflecting the character’s more measured state. Once again, the lighting is immaculate and the set pieces have really taken a step up with the climax featuring a fantastic use of Iron Maiden’s Number of the Beast placed against an intoxicating atmosphere. It’s all incredibly immersive, leaving behind the more experimental techniques in favour of enveloping the audience fully. When you get down to the action, the gore and bloodshed is extremely grotesque; within the first five minutes, this entry commits fully to its nastier elements and engages the audience. The soundtrack is quite similar to its predecessor, but the use of popular tracks from other big-name artists like Duran Duran and Radiohead is also done to a high standard.

Far from a lesser sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is an excellent horror film; it takes the foundation laid by its predecessor and elevates it to a brutally effective level. With standout main characters, deeply unsettling sequences and profound themes, this is one flick that no fan of the genre should miss.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars (Brilliant)