28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Review
It had only been a few months since the first installment of this 28 Years Later trilogy was released. However, it still made quite the impact, from its crazy iPhone-centric cinematography to the epic-esque scale of its family-centric story. While there were some who believe that the first outing was very experimental, this latest film takes a more familiar approach. What Nia DaCosta has done with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is simply astounding and gratifying in many ways. Overall, her take on exploring the idea of belonging and finding humanity adds another layer of complexity to what looks to be one of the best film trilogies of today’s time.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple picks up some time after the first film and is split between two converging storylines. One follows Spike (Alfie Williams), who’s joined a gang of religious psychopaths known as “the Jimmys” led by the oddly charismatic Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell). The other follows Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), whose medical work and memorializing might pave the way to undo the infection that’s plagued the United Kingdom.
What’s made very clear from DaCosta’s take on Alex Garland’s story is that it’s less action-packed than 28 Years Later. Yet, in that change, each scene involving action is tortuously methodological on a physical level, which surprisingly works. The brutality of the infection and the kills is still retained, albeit it’s initially reserved as to make the viewer mentally prepare for what’s to come. This mostly feels present in the second act in what feels to be one of this franchise’s most grueling sequences ever (it’s more gory than it lets on!) Additionally, there may be some jumpscares, but fortunately, those moments are also carefully inserted.
To counteract the film’s lack of action, what DaCosta and Garland do with The Bone Temple is allow those character-centric sequences to linger just enough to resonate with the audiences. This mostly goes with what Kelson has to go through as his journey of healing with Samson and the scenes of that storyline truly hit. It’s a gradual development that’s meticulously careful in pacing that not only fills in the gaps of what Kelson has been going through, but also how his cautious optimism has its own benefits.
Watching Kelson trying to “fix” Samson, despite the decreasing resources he can get his hands on, adds a layer of empathy that allows us to understand his philosophy even more. There is certainly a hope that, underneath the undead shell, there’s still some humanity to be found in others who are “different”. This point is also made very clear as Samson’s perspective is actually shown, which is also unique for this franchise. We never really get to see that viewpoint in such apocalypse films, but this addition makes for a great thematic reinforcement.
As for Spike’s storyline and the Jimmys, it’s about as chaotically rambunctious as it can get. For the most part, the Jimmys are the one causing the suffering as their leader, Sir Lord Crystal, is believed to be too into his satanic ways. However, DaCosta takes a deeper examination into how, deep down, people are still carried by their innate doubts and fears. This is split three ways between Spike, Jimmy Ink (Erin Kellyman), a suspicious, yet friendly figure Spike revels in, and Sir Lord Crystal himself.
Spike is still holding on to that sympathy for others as his community taught him despite Sir Lord Crystal trying to push his cult-like ideology onto him (which does make him vomit from time to time.) On the other hand, Jimmy Ink knows that Spike is still too young for all of this, wanting to shelter him while also enacting her own plan to escape the Jimmys. The emotional moments we get from Spike and Jimmy Ink’s interactions creates a sweet, if cynical, brother-sister dynamic that certainly has potential to carry into the next film.
Additionally, the transitioning point between the second and final act really shines. Here, audiences are treated to a surprising encounter with Sir Lord Crystal and Kelson that perfectly captures how human the cult leader really is. Though not to spoil the specifics, this moment is one of the main highlights of the film as it allows Fiennes and O’Connell to showcase those new shades of Sir Lord Crystal in this philosophical, down-to-earth way. Although, the biggest highlight of the film has to be Kelson literally going through fire and brimstone in a wild dance sequence (which is the entire third act itself!)
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is simply unnerving, shocking, and impressive on a narrative level that solidifies why Nia DaCosta was the right director for this emotion-driven second chapter. With implications in its story that fortify what 28 Years Later did and an ending that honors the films that came before, this sequel leaves us very excited for the big finale.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple releases in theaters on January 16.
Rating: ★★★★½
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.