By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
SURVIVAL TURNS SAVAGE IN "28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE"
I don't remember squirming in my seat--or flinching as often--during last year's "28 Years Later" movie the way I did watching this ferocious fourth installment,
"28 Years Later: The Bone Temple."
From its opening moments, the film grabs you by the throat and never loosens its grip, delivering sustained dread that is relentless, unsettling, and yet so captivating.
Directed by
Nia DaCosta ("Candyman," and "Hedda") and written by franchise architect
Alex Garland" ("Warfare," and "28 Years Later"), "The Bone Temple" plunges the series into even darker territory. The film is grittier, bloodier, and far more emotionally involving than its predecessor, expanding the mythology while doubling down on the raw horror of survival in a world that has long since abandoned its humanity. This isn’t just about infected zombies; it's about what people become when hope has completely eroded.
Ralph Fiennes ("The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," "The Choral" and "Conclave" delivers one of the film's most haunting performances as Dr. Kelson, a man whose intellect and authority mask something far more disturbing as he oversees and maintains The Bone Temple, the memorial to those killed during the Rage Virus outbreak.
Dr. Kelson's relationship with Alpha leader Samson (a physically imposing and quietly terrifying Chi Lewis-Parry, "The Running Man" and "Gladiator II") adds an eerie, layer to the story. Their bond--part protector, part prisoner--raises chilling questions about control, exploitation, and how far science can stray when morality collapses. Fiennes plays Dr. Kelson with icy precision, making him as frightening as any creature roaming this broken world.
At the heart of the film is Spike, (a terrific Alfie Williams, "Banquet" and "28 Years Later"). He's a young survivor abruptly thrust into the sadistic domain of Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (a menacing Jack O'Connell, "Sinners" and "Godzilla x Kong: Supernova"). Crystal rules his territory and cult, The Fingers, with cruelty and theatrical brutality, turning despair into spectacle.
Spike's journey through this never-ending nightmare is the film's emotional backbone, as innocence collides with a reality where mercy is seen as weakness. O'Connell is especially effective, crafting a villain whose unpredictability makes every scene snap, crackle, and pop.
Adding further depth is Jimmy Ink, (Erin Kellyman, "Eleanor the Great" and "Blitz"), a fierce and resilient member of The Fingers who befriends Spike, and a presence who embodies what little resistance remains in this fractured society. Kellyman brings both strength and weariness to the role, grounding the chaos with a performance that feels painfully human. Her character reminds us that even in the darkest corners of this world, sparks of defiance--and compassion--still flicker.
For horror fans, "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" delivers on multiple levels: brutal set pieces, nerve-shredding suspense, and a story that dares to evolve rather than repeat itself. But what truly makes this version, which is executive produced by Cillian Murphy--who makes an appearance near the end--stand out is its emotional weight and thematic ambition. It's not just about survival anymore, it's about the cost of living in a world where morality has rotted away.
"28 Years Later: The Bone Temple," executive produced by
Cillian Murphy ("Steve" and "Oppenheimer")—who also reprises his iconic role from "28 Days Later" in a chilling late-film appearance—proves this franchise still has terrifying new places to explore as well as the boldness to take audiences there.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Check Out This Trailer For
"28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
