Following the events of 28 Years Later, Spike (Alfie Williams) finds himself in a life-or-death situation as he is brought into Sir Jimmy Crystal’s (Jack O’Connell) Satanic Cult. Meanwhile, Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) begins to “treat” the infected Alpha, Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry), in an effort to find a cure for the virus that has ravaged the world.
2025 was the first time I actually saw 28 Days Later, and I absolutely loved it. Of course, I had to watch 28 Weeks Later before the release of 28 Years Later, and it quickly became one of my favorite horror film franchises. Whereas 28 Years Later was more of an emotional journey, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple intensifies the virus’s brutality by showcasing the brutality of man.
The Bone Temple is the rare sequel that understands exactly why the former movies worked, and then dares to push even farther. I’ve seen some complaints that The Bone Temple doesn’t focus enough on the raging virus that decimated society, but in my opinion, it doesn’t need to. Writer Alex Garland still centers the story on survival, but it’s survival of a different kind of terror. The theme of clinging to hope long after it should have died is powerful, and in some ways, The Bone Temple is more unsettling than its predecessors because of its focus on moral rot and spiritual corruption.
For me, it’s Ralph Fiennes who carries this film. He’s the emotional anchor, delivering a performance that is so quietly devastating and enthralling. His work with Samson is an interesting study in parental and patient care, handled with a blend of gentleness and guilt. Their relationship is so compelling, giving the film a softness it definitely needs, especially compared to Sir Jimmy’s grotesque antics. There is also Kelson’s fierce determination to protect Spike from Sir Jimmy, which is a choice that feels like a final stand against the moral compromises he’s lived with for decades. Kelson is not a savior, but he’s still a man who wants to preserve something gentle in a world that no longer rewards it.
If Fiennes provides the soul, Jack O’Connell supplies the nightmare. As cult leader Sir Jimmy Crystal, O’Connell is genuinely terrifying, crafting a performance that shifts effortlessly between charm, dark humor, and simmering violence. His menace lies in restraint, but it’s clear that his cruelty is always present. Sir Jimmy feels disturbingly plausible, the kind of man who would thrive in the aftermath of collapse, and O’Connell ensures you never forget how dangerous a smiling fanatic can be.
Alfie Williams’ Spike takes more of a backseat in this film, but he still shines in the film’s quieter moments. Spike’s refusal to abandon his humanity, even when survival demands it, grounds the story emotionally. Williams was brilliant in 28 Years Later, and his talent is still showcased in The Bone Temple, as a boy caught between fear and conscience, desperate to live but unwilling to become hollow in the process. His performance is subtle but crucial in reminding the audience that there is still hope in a moral-less world.
Bleak, intelligent, and deeply unsettling, The Bone Temple features powerhouse performances and a chilling exploration of faith, power, and mercy. In my opinion, this is a near-perfect sequel and one of the franchise’s strongest entries to date. The film also has an exciting conclusion that leaves the door open for a third installment. Fingers crossed!
