REVIEW: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

Coming into this movie, I kept my expectations firmly in check. I liked Danny Boyle’s return to this world well enough — there are genuinely strong ideas here, and for the most part they’re executed competently. Boyle brings a burst of energy through his camerawork and editing, occasionally dipping into an experimental lane that feels true to his instincts. The different variations of the infected are especially interesting and full of potential. Still, despite appreciating many of these elements, I never fully fell in love with the film.

The change in directors never really worried or excited me. I wasn’t a big fan of The Marvels, and while I thought the Candyman remake/sequel was fine, neither left a strong impression. What did reassure me, though, was Alex Garland returning to write the screenplay. That at least guaranteed some narrative continuity and avoided a situation where previous setups would be casually discarded (Star Wars fans know the pain). Stylistically, however, this film lacks many of the bold Boyle-isms that defined the original. It leans more conventional, with only occasional callbacks like those intense GoPro-style close-ups during chase sequences.

One thing you shouldn’t expect is a memorable score — there really isn’t one — but the soundtrack more than makes up for it. I certainly wasn’t expecting Duran Duran of all bands to survive the apocalypse (at least the UK version of it), and that Radiohead needle drop is excellent. The Iron Maiden sequence is downright brilliant. More than anything, though, this is a film that prioritizes story and character over spectacle, and that choice largely pays off.

The cult element is familiar territory, but the decision to frame it around a doom-driven Satanic ideology rather than religious fanaticism feels fresh and fitting. The seeds for this were planted well in the first film, and it makes complete sense that Jimmy would evolve into this kind of deranged psychopath. The movie doesn’t pull punches either, fully embracing his sociopathy, especially in the unsettling barn scene. While there are a few gnarly moments — including a brutal head-ripping scene — this isn’t a gore-heavy film, nor is it packed with infected. In fact, the real monsters here aren’t the infected at all, but people.

Jimmy Crystal is essentially the embodiment of evil. If Ian represents hope, Jimmy is his complete opposite — not a yin-yang balance, but two extremes colliding. The Samson storyline was particularly fascinating and pushes the film into unexpected territory. Performance-wise, everyone delivers, but this ultimately becomes a duel between Ralph Fiennes and Jack O’Connell. Fiennes brings warmth, gravity, and quiet charm to Dr. Ian Kelson, while O’Connell once again proves he’s exceptional at playing charismatic monsters. It’s hard not to worry about him being typecast, but when he’s this good, it’s understandable.

All in all, this is a significant improvement in many areas. It’s unfortunate that audiences don’t seem to be showing up, because it deserves to be seen. With a third installment already confirmed, that ending left me genuinely excited. Strong performances, confident direction, and arguably the best script in the franchise make this well worth checking out on the big screen.