Cover image via Sony Pictures
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
Last year, 28 Years Later ended on a bizarre cliffhanger
The 2025 sequel to 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later follows Spike (Alfie Williams) on a journey of self-discovery after his mother passes away peacefully and he leaves a baby on his home village's doorstep (it's a long story).
Now alone on an adventure across the ruined UK, Spike finds himself fleeing from a horde of zombies when he is rescued by Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell), the leader of a cult of costumed, blond wig-wearing eccentrics modelled after Jimmy Savile, who became infamous as one of England's most prolific sex offenders after his death.
What happens after that is left to The Bone Temple, an immediate sequel that was shot back-to-back with 28 Years Later, now helmed by The Marvels director Nia DaCosta.
While I had mixed feelings about 28 Years Later on my first watch, repeated viewings have made me love and appreciate it for what it is and everything it does right.
It's one of those movies that takes some time to really digest, but that's not the case for the follow-up.
Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal and his antagonistic cult, the Jimmys.
Image via Sony PicturesA confident Part II that follows an unconventional structure
The Bone Temple picks up almost immediately where the last one left off, where it becomes clear Jimmy's cult (all its members are named "Jimmy") is a roving band of Satanist murderers terrorising the country. Spike has no choice but to join them after surviving a brutal initiation ritual.
Spike doesn't have much of an arc here, but he's not the main character this time anyway. The focus is on its two true leads: the charismatic and evil Lord Jimmy Crystal, and Dr Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), who forms a strange relationship with the hulking Alpha infected, Samson (Chi Lewis-Perry).
The two plotlines are entirely unconnected until unexpected events collide in the third act, which is a very strange choice for a blockbuster to make, but surprisingly, it works.
Dr Kelson, played by Ralph Fiennes.
Image via Sony PicturesMore zombies, more action, more terror
Since The Walking Dead and even the original 28 Days Later, Western zombie films, shows, and games have rarely focused on the mindless hordes.
Instead, these stories are often centred around human relationships, with the villains being not literal monsters but evil survivors who are far worse than the zombies themselves.
The Bone Temple features more zombie action and popcorn thrills than its predecessor, but in this respect it's similar, with much of the second act devoted to the Jimmys capturing and torturing a survivor family.
Jack O'Connell, fresh from his performance as the villainous vampire Remmick in Sinners, delivers a hypnotic performance as a cult leader who is equal parts cartoonish and genuinely scary.
Spike, trapped in a nightmarish situation, has only Jimmy Ink (Erin Kellyman) to rely on for comfort, as she is the only cult member who shows Spike empathy and questions Jimmy Crystal's bizarre religion.
Spike finds himself trapped in the clutches of a murderous cult after the events of the last movie.
Image via Sony PicturesHowever, it is Dr Kelson's storyline, and his relationship with Samson, where the film finds its emotional heart
Lacking in action, horror, and focused almost entirely on character drama, Dr Kelson's scenes follow his strange friendship with the Alpha zombie, who becomes a companion after being sedated with morphine.
Much of the film's humour come from their scenes, as Samson provides a subdued, animalistic performance that contrasts hilariously with Dr Kelson's elation at having a companion he can speak, sing, and even dance with.
Better known for his villainous or dramatic roles, such as Lord Voldemort, Fiennes gets to showcase his comedic side to memorable effect in The Bone Temple.
The film goes further than most zombie flicks, exploring what drives zombie behaviour and asking whether it's possible for a doctor to treat them, and bring out the human again.
Dr Kelson (right) and Samson's (left) strange friendship makes for a hilarious and surprisingly emotional arc.
Image via Sony PicturesAll of this leads to a third act that is too crazy to spoil, and a tantalising promise of a third film
The two hours I spent on The Bone Temple swung between funny and frightening, but above all, I was wildly entertained and impressed that this is how 2026 is kicking off in movies.
Without going into too much detail, by the time the credits rolled, I was genuinely excited to see where the next film (set to be directed by Danny Boyle) will go, especially with Cillian Murphy returning as Jim, the protagonist of 28 Days Later.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is currently playing in Malaysian cinemas.
