28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) - A Guest Review by Chad Dixon

This is a direct sequel to last year's 28 Years Later (and was shot back-to-back). It is still set in a post-apocalyptic Britain where many mindless, "infected", cannibalistic humans roam ferally, usually led by one giant Alpha individual.

The story follows directly on from the final scene of the previous film where, after losing his whole family to illness and to "the infected", Spike (Alfie Williams) runs into a band of violent fanatics who all dress like Jimmy Savile with blonde flowing wigs and gold chains worn over different coloured tracksuits. He is addressed by their apparent leader who introduces himself as Satanist "Sir Lord" Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell), adorned with the most chains and a prominent inverted crucifix.

Spike is a virtual prisoner within this cult which, including the leader, numbers seven disciples known as his "Fingers", all called Jimmy "something". In what looks like an initiation ceremony in the empty pool of a long-abandoned water park, Spike is forced into a knife fight with Jimmy Shite (Connor Newell). The young, diminutive newcomer is totally terrified, but the gang member's cockiness leads him to let his guard down, allowing Spike to fatally cut his leg artery. Over the still-warm corpse, Crystal promotes Spike to become the replacement "Finger" and immediately gives him his new name: "Jimmy".

Meanwhile, Dr Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), still living alone, is continuing the dutiful guardianship of the "Bone Temple", a hilltop memorial of piled-up, bleached human remains he has found over the years. However, he now seems to be fascinated with a nearby 6'7" Alpha male he has christened Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry), whom, during their latest encounter, he has skilfully sedated with a blowpipe. In his dream-like state, Samson seems to be showing signs of some sentient brain activity. Could this be a sign that the terrible infection that has devastated the land for a generation could be cured?

The main core of the plot here, however, follows the path of the "Jimmy" cult and their fanatic leader, the self-proclaimed son of "Old Nick". He leads his "disciples" in a reign of terror across the land; they are actually more of a threat to any "uninfected" humans just trying to survive the best they can. Spike is obviously the thread that runs through both of these films, and as he seems to get closer to one of the young females in the cult, Jimmy Ink (Erin Kellyman), things take a surprising turn. The countryside again looks fabulously unmanicured and can definitely be seen as another character in this nightmarish world.

The "18" certificate is definitely warranted here, as this is much more gory than the previous film in the series. It includes graphic scenes of disembowelment, mutilation and overt cannibalistic behaviour. It can be a tough watch, but thankfully it's not relentless. There is some respite in the scenes where Ralph Fiennes has a much bigger part and shows us some quite animated exuberance. Indeed, his involvement in the third act is quite a feast for the eyes and ears! The runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes flies by, and there is another end scene that links to the third film in the trilogy, where we are met with a familiar face from the original 2002 film.