28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Stuns with Brutal Intensity
Early reactions to 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple praise its unflinching violence, dark humour, and standout performances from Jack O'Connell and Ralph Fiennes.
With weeks still to go before its cinema release, the much-anticipated horror sequel 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has already set tongues wagging among those lucky enough to catch an early screening. The initial feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with many calling it a wild ride that pushes boundaries.
This has cranked everything up to 11, and I warn you, you will need a very strong stomach (or a sick bag),
one reviewer noted, hinting at the film’s unrelenting approach to gore and tension. Another early viewer described it as
one of the greatest horror movies of the decade, as it takes the first movie and goes 10 extra miles with the brutality and intensity of the world.
New Direction, Fresh Energy
While the original was directed by Danny Boyle, this time Nia DaCosta takes the helm, and her influence is being widely celebrated.
Nia DaCosta brought her unique style to this world in a captivating way,
one critic observed, while another added,
Yet more evidence that when you let Nia Da Costa cook, great things tend to happen.
The shift in directorial vision is being credited with breathing new life into the franchise, with DaCosta’s approach described as a precise counterpoint to the groundwork laid by Boyle.
The script, penned by Alex Garland, is said to build on the original’s foundation while taking the story in bold new directions. Boyle remains involved as producer, ensuring a sense of continuity even as the sequel carves out its own identity.
Standout Performances and Dark Humour
Jack O'Connell and Ralph Fiennes are drawing particular praise for their roles. O'Connell’s portrayal of the cult leader Jimmy Crystal is being called both terrifying and darkly funny.
Jack O'Connell, meanwhile, is disturbingly hilarious as the unhinged St. Jimmy, a man fully convinced he's the devil's own son,
one reviewer remarked. Fiennes, meanwhile, returns as the eccentric Dr. Kelson, with both actors delivering performances that are being described as mesmerising.
According to early viewers, the sequel is not only nastier than its predecessor but also surprisingly funnier, with a sharp edge to its humour that keeps the audience on their toes. The chemistry between the cast members, including Alfie Williams as Spike and Chi Lewis-Parry as the infected Alpha Samson, is said to elevate the film even further.
Plot Twists and a New Threat
The Bone Temple picks up after the wild final moments of the previous instalment, following Spike’s harrowing encounter with Jimmy Crystal and his cult. What unfolds is a nightmare that seems impossible to escape. Meanwhile, Dr. Kelson finds himself entangled in a shocking new relationship, the consequences of which could upend everything.
In this world, the infected are no longer the most dangerous force at play. As the synopsis puts it,
the inhumanity of the survivors can be stranger and more terrifying.
The film explores how the true horror may lie not with the infected, but with those left behind.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is set to hit Aussie cinemas on 16 January 2026, and if these early reactions are anything to go by, punters are in for a wild, unforgettable experience.