Welcome to my first film review of 2026! We’ll be going through them as the year continues, but we’re starting off solid with “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”!
Non-Spoiler Reviews will be posted here on the site and spoilers will be on the podcast only! Link below and hope you’ll tune in later this week!
“28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”
I stand by the fact there shouldn’t be any liking towards horror from my end. I’ve been very transparent about not being the strongest solider in the horror genre, but “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,” absolutely enamored me.
Directed by Nia DeCosta, we have the next installment of the “28 Years Later” franchise. What could’ve felt like a sophomore slump ended up charming me more than the first entry. In a post-apocalyptic world, we see closer returning character profiles for Ralph Fiennes’ Dr. Ian Kelson and Jack O’Connell’s Jimmy Crystal. What could’ve felt like a division of story ended up melding well together by the end of the second act of DeCosta’s entry.
What I really enjoyed about this entry is that it defies the typical January slog of films not shining through. DeCosta brought in a sharp, quiet and gory entry that isn’t an intense horror, but a well-developed tragedy entry laced with wonderful dry humour. Ironically enough we have quieter moments that bring a moment of levity to this franchise, but not with the somberness of the first entry. “The Bone Temple” uses elements of melancholy, a clashing of personalities and a look at human behaviour that doesn’t feel far off from our own society.
DeCosta shows off her strengths as a director in this entry and makes me fall in love with the visual as she did recently for Amazon MGM’s “Hedda”. DeCosta is no stranger to unique camera direction, but in “The Bone Temple” she brings a freshness and humanity into the post-apocalyptic zombie world.
Without giving too much away, there’s a moment in this film that has a shoutout to Fiennes’ filmography that will bring a smile onto your face. O’Connell, on the other hand continues to thrive in the horror genre after the success he had in Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” from last year. Additionally, keep an eye out on Erin Kellyman and Chi Lewis-Parry who are scene stealers in this film and Alfie William’s return in this entry who is growing quickly within this franchise for better or worse.
Don’t forget my spoiler review on Friday on the podcast!
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