28 Years Later: The Bone Temple - Movie Review: First BEST Film Of The Year!

WRITTEN BY JOHN DARIUS

Happy new year everyone!

It's been a while since I've posted anything, but I'm back & very happy to share with you all a new review on what I believe is to be one of the first best films to come of 2026 by far! That being of course the fourth entry of the highly beloved 28 Days Later series led by Academy award winner & director Danny Boyle. Alongside his long-time creative partner & writer Alex Garland in 28 Year Later: The Bone Temple. As a fan who has grown up enjoying horror & all the aspects of it, I've over the years now come to whole-heartedly cherish this franchise as one of the finest within the genre. It is unequivocally a game-changer on how we see both zombie & pandemic films as a whole. Dealing with unchecked diseases that have decimated societies to their lowest. While at the center of it all showcasing humanity at its weakest yet most feral state, and finally who we choose to ultimately become despite the unprecedented consequences that reshape our future.

In the latest chapter of this newly planned trilogy, Alex Garland & Danny Boyle both return as writers, & producers. While director Nia DaCosta best known for her work in 2021's Candyman, has been chosen to lead the ship for this new installment.

As someone like myself who has been unfamiliar with DaCosta's films beforehand, I must admit that I am highly impressed by the incredible feat she managed to pull off here. I left the theater with a grin on my face knowing personally that I & many others were not left disappointed at all, and are now even more excited for what's to come in Boyle's possible final chapter. Last year we got a much slower burn into how the world we first see in 28 Days Later (2002) has now changed & evolved over time. Being introduced to new leads in Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Alfie Williams. Each of who bought unforgettable outstanding performances that left a mark for me as a cinema lover.

The Bone Temple follows Spike's continued journey into the vast lost region of England, & his new deranged relationship with the psychotic cult "The Jimmies", that we're first introduced to by the end of 28 Years Later (2025) . Well-renowned actor Jack O'Connell who's gained much praise for his work in Ryan Coogler's Sinners, has once again stepped back into his villainous shoes. This time as cult leader & antagonist Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal. A young man who in his adolescence was present to the collapse of society & believed it to be from a higher-being rather the virus we come to discover in the beginning of the original film. As years have past, it is revealed that Jimmy has now instilled his sadistic ideals onto younger children, continuing a legacy of chaos in a world that is already broken.

Ralph Fiennes also returns as Dr. Kelson who we find is still hard at work in discovering an answer to the infection that plagued the lives of many including his own. The role we see in Fiennes this time around is surprisingly much bigger in scale compared to the predecessor of last year. Revealing to us what isolation can do to man's psyche, & ultimately how we can choose to see the overall value of those we may have at first deemed too far gone to save. No matter the film, Fiennes has always delivered a stellar performance in any role he's given, & helps elevate the material to a whole new level. His character in The Bone Temple is no different, and just an absolute crowd pleaser that audiences will surely come to thoroughly enjoy!

Another new comer in the mix we see is Erin Kellyman who many may remember from numerous titles in Willow (2022), Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), & of course The Green Knight (2021). Kellyman plays a prominent member in the Jimmy cult & one of the few willing to challenge our main antagonist's ideology rooted in Connell's Sir Crystal throughout the film. Majority of her scenes are shared with Alfie Williams where she acts as a reluctant ally & later friend who helps Spike in navigating the group's new way of life. Kellyman's character is a sign for viewers, & our protagonist of the humanity that fortunately still lingers deep within "The Jimmies".

The relationship witnessed between her & Spike is truly a breath of fresh-air in a story that is already grim in tone. Making way for a new brother-sister like dynamic many may not anticipate right away, but will fully come to appreciate by the climax. Kellyman is one of the few rising stars today that I've always seen bring a much dedicated drive of passion & heart into her roles no matter the task at hand. It is always a pleasure to see her pop up in so many "out of this world" stories that have overall led with a message regarding our evolution as human beings, and the struggles that come our way. Definitely an artist I hope to see continue flourish throughout the business. Very happy to have her a part of this awesome franchise!

As for Nia DaCosta & the directing style she brings into this newly-made sequel? It's vastly different in comparison from what we got in Boyle's vision, but is still very much welcomed & has bought a whole new feeling overall in how we digest horror in general. So many incredible twists that caught me off guard, but not once feeling out of place. I for one had a grand time in theaters experiencing this new installment unravel itself, & honestly can't wait to see what else she does for the future. Such an amazing job well-done on a project that is already being geared as a favorite for many across the globe.

All in all, The 28 Days Later franchise has yet again delivered on another win for the genre which is bound to over time cement its mark amongst new & old lovers returning or watching for the first time. An incredible start for 2026 regarding cinema. Hopefully acting as a small indicator of the many epic surprises we may see later this year.

Hope everyone enjoyed this new article after such a long hiatus, and please be on the lookout for more to come soon! Thank you for reading, and catch you all next time!

28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE TRAILER:

DISCLAIMER:

NONE OF THE IMAGES OR VIDEOS USED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE OWNED BY WRITER OR WEBSITE!