28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is one thing of a miracle. Choosing up instantly the place 2025’s 28 Years Later left off, it first solutions most of the questions you had from that, then expands the world, challenges expectations, and gives loads of scares and laughs alongside the way in which. Plus, it does all of that and extra whereas being smaller and extra centered than its predecessor. It’s a superb sequel that enhances its franchise, stands by itself, and excites us for what’s to come back.
Director Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels) takes the reins from Danny Boyle right here, working from a script by franchise co-creator Alex Garland. And, as we stated, issues decide up the place we left them again in 28 Years Later. Spike (Alfie Williams) had left his comfortable island residence to be on his personal however ran right into a brash, evil group of individuals led by Jimmy (Jack O’Connell). The pop culture-obsessed, Devil-worshipping crew then occupies one half of The Bone Temple as we study their code, survival ways, and the distinctive model of ultra-violence that has saved them thriving. All of which is in full opposition to Spike’s persona, however he does what he has to do to outlive.
Then there’s Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes). Within the final movie, we noticed him not solely present solace and luxury to Spike and his household but in addition turn into fascinated by an alpha zombie he’s nicknamed Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry). That relationship continues in The Bone Temple as Kelson explores what, precisely, this virus is and if there’s any method to change it. Which, sure, means there’s much more zombie dong on this film. Like, much more.
On their very own, every story goes to some very sudden locations. For Jimmy, Spike, and his crew, these locations are sometimes stuffed with stress and disgusting physique horror. For Kelson and Samson, their story goes from intense worry to sudden pleasure, with just a few sequences you’ll enjoyment of discovering for your self. And, ultimately, the 2 tales merge, resulting in a 3rd act that not solely tugs at your heartstrings and retains you on the sting of your seat but in addition made my theater escape in spontaneous applause at its hilarious audacity. You’ll realize it whenever you see it, and it’ll certainly go down as among the best scenes of the 12 months.
And whereas that narrative duality is a giant a part of why The Bone Temple works so nicely, it will get taken to a different degree by what these characters say about this world. With Jimmy and Spike’s aspect of the story, we see the lengths individuals will go to deal with such an unimaginable tragedy. Who’s accountable for the truth that, 28 years in the past, the world went to finish shit? Individuals want somebody accountable. Want some method to get even. And it’s a mindset that gives scary outcomes.
On the flip aspect, that Dr. Kelson has not solely survived however thrived on this time is a miracle. He’s discovered new function and, within the hulking zombie Samson, an opportunity at salvation. He believes the zombie outbreak was the results of science, so science ought to, hypothetically, be capable of resolve it. Then, as you may think, these two viewpoints come to a head. It’s science vs. faith. Religion vs. the faithless. No matter you wish to name it. However wrapped up in a pulse-pounding, intense, visceral story that by no means feels preachy, as a substitute letting the themes simmer under the floor.
All of which is feasible largely resulting from Garland’s script, which is tight, centered, and always going locations we don’t anticipate, in addition to the performances of its actors. Fiennes, as anticipated, is fantastic within the movie, in some way combining each good or evil position you’ve ever seen him in into this one, wild, lovable man. O’Connell can also be utterly fascinating as Jimmy, particularly after we see his evil exterior crack a bit, revealing its unhappy origin. The opposite standout is Lewis-Parry as Sampson, who has a a lot larger (ahem) position this time round, balancing his imposing bodily presence with a posh emotionality instructed nearly wholly via the eyes.
Then there’s Erin Kellyman. The Star Wars, Marvel, and Willow star is one in every of Jimmy’s disciples within the movie, and she or he, as traditional, is a revelation. She’s essentially the most skeptical of the group but in addition essentially the most assured and succesful. Her means to stroll the road between murderous villain within the title of Jimmy and sympathetic pal to Spike is a delight to look at. Anytime she’s in something, she proves she’s a star, and possibly this may lastly be the position that solidifies that.
The one factor you’d assume to be a draw back in The Bone Temple is that it’s clearly the second movie within the 28 Years Later trilogy. So, when issues come to their conclusion, there’s a coda that can have individuals speaking and units up the ultimate piece of the puzzle. Nevertheless, the ultimate, and finest, shock in The Bone Temple is that it’s not a draw back. The movie does such job at standing alone and increasing the world of 28 Years Later, whereas additionally terrifying and entertaining, it might be completely advantageous if that sequel by no means occurred. It’s occurring, although, and we’ll be first in line for it, however this film delivers on a number of ranges that make it a satisfying expertise each by itself and as a sequel.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple opens on January 16.
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