So, 28 Years Later dropped like a cinematic grenade¡ªand if you thought the carnage, grief, and gore were intense, buckle in. This film is just the first beat in what is shaping up to be an unhinged trilogy revival, with The Bone Temple already waiting in the wings to blow minds (and potentially guts).
Set 28 years after the original nightmare, the UK is now a no-go zone, abandoned and sealed off like a plague-ridden time capsule. Amid this horror, Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), Isla (Jodie Comer), and their son Spike (Alfie Williams) are vibing on a tidal island, until a cheeky trip to the mainland leads to infected chaos, a raging Alpha zombie, and some truly devastating consequences.
But the real twist? It is not just about survival. It is about legacy, grief, and how a child tries to save his mother in a world where science has long given up. Enter: The Bone Temple. Yes, it is exactly what it sounds like.
The Bone Temple, where Spike ends up with his dying mother, is not some twisted death cult lair¡ªit is a beautiful, horrific shrine where remains are honoured. Dr. Ian Kelson (played by Ralph Fiennes in full sorrow-core) helps Spike say goodbye to his mum in the most haunting way: by placing her skull in the temple¡¯s most sacred spot.
And just when you think it is over, Spike leaves baby Isla behind, grabs his gear, and heads out to find himself. Then boom, cult leader energy crashes in. A bleach-blond Jack O¡¯Connell struts in as ¡°Sir Jimmy Crystal,¡± dripping in bling and chaos. He and his savage gang murder zombies like they are playing a video game, all while rocking purple velour fits. Iconic.
Turns out, Jimmy watched his dad get eaten during the OG outbreak. His origin story? Dark. His future? Front and centre in The Bone Temple, where Spike and his grief-stricken dad are set for one hell of a showdown.
Filmmaker Nia DaCosta described the trilogy¡¯s themes like this: film one is about family, film two is evil, and film three? Redemption. Oh, we are ready.