28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026)

3 1/2 Stars (out of 4)

Game of Bones

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Shot back-to-back with Danny Boyle's 28 Years Later, Nia DaCosta's fine second half The Bone Temple contains the same intelligence, visual inventiveness, and brutal shock factor as its partner, though heads into more spiritual territory.

Spike (Alfie Williams) has been taken by cult leader Jimmy (Jack O'Connell) and become one of his "fingers," i.e. his followers, who are all called "Jimmy." They travel the countryside, inflicting pain and suffering on all they encounter. Another "Jimmy" (Erin Kellyman) takes pity on the smaller and less violent Spike and takes him under her wing.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) continues to receive visits from the alpha zombie Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry), who seems to have begun craving the doctor's tranquilizer darts. Ian spends time with the sedated, docile Samson and believes that he might be able to cure him.

Then, Jimmy's gang stumbles upon Ian's Bone Temple. One of the "Jimmies" suggests that Ian must be "Old Nick," the voice in Jimmy's who claims to be Satan and Jimmy's father, but in the flesh. So Jimmy hatches a sinister plan...

Taking the reins from Boyle, director DaCosta proves with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple that she's a pro, not only capable of mature horror (Candyman) but also human drama (Little Woods, Hedda). She's a whiz at finding the right angles and colors to express certain feelings or ideas.

This sequel feels narrowed down, with less exposition, focused on two compelling tales that converge in a powerful final stretch, everything clicking in just the right way. The movie looks at big themes, such as good vs. evil, kindness vs. cruelty, and science vs. spirituality, but in small, digestible doses.

It's capable of great flourishes, as in the dazzling sequence when Dr. Ian tries to convince the "Jimmies" that he is the actual Prince of Darkness, as well as moments of quiet reflection. Characters are always thinking, always on their toes, rather than being slaves to a plot.

The movie's main flaw is that it is indeed the second half of a two-part story, and it will be compared to and contrasted with Boyle's well-received first half, which helped build things up. But 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is a sometimes brutal, often thoughtful, and altogether impressive movie in a series that just keeps getting better and better.