'28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' review: Ralph Fiennes is not afraid of the deep six, six, six

SF Studios

Do you feel it in your bones that this is going to be a wild ride? We're ready and Jimmying our way towards 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which is a sequel to 2025's marvellous '28 Years Later' and the fourth entry in the '28 Days Later' franchise. Not much time has passed when we reconnect with Spike (Alfie Williams) who's been snagged by Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell) and his posse known collectively as "fingers". Everyone in this group is called Jimmy (they're portrayed by Connor Newall, Emma Laird, Erin Kellyman, Ghazi Al Ruffai, Maura Bird, Robert Rhodes and Sam Locke). Spike must earn his spot by winning a fight to the death.

Meanwhile, we also check in with doctor Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) who has begun testing and approaching Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry), our beloved "alpha" version of a zombie. As time goes by and Kelson injects Samson with more drugs, Samson's behaviour goes through changes and the two lads find an unexpected harmony. Things get a bit uneasy once Crystal, Spike and the other misfits come across Kelson, whom they believe is Satan himself because of his appearance and temple of bones. Spike obviously knows this isn't true.

New perspectives and tools are allowed to take the story in a different direction as Nia DaCosta takes over the reins, although Alex Garland is back as a screenwriter. Thus, your level of enjoyment between these two new movies will likely depend on how much you enjoy more experimental techniques or, alternatively, more straightforward storytelling and presentation. DaCosta's perspective leans towards the latter and that is not a knock on it by any means; in its own way, it keeps the film series fairly unpredictable and extremely exciting, especially in the modern cinema landscape where franchises and IPs (ew) are so risk-averse. Evolution is not feared here, it is embraced.

But let's get the shortcomings out of the way now. Others might consider "Bone Temple's" flaws to be improvements, but personally, they disrupt the atmosphere just enough for me to notice. Coming to terms with death and dying with dignity are still major themes, but it's more general exploration than personal this time around. As a result, the film doesn't really hit you emotionally. You mostly sense the anguish, but you don't exactly feel it. Similarly absent are the surprises and wilder swings. This affects some of the filmmaking, too. Composer Hildur Guðnadóttir is one of the new artists brought in and her score is ultimately the weakest link because it doesn't evoke any of the danger and bizarreness, which make these movies compelling. Underlining this is the fact that the (literal) needle drops complement the images amazingly well, while you only notice the score during the credits when it reuses an old theme. Bummer.

However, Bone Temple is an incredible ride as a pure, weird, adrenaline-pumping post-apocalyptic horror even with those few downgrades. These characters are so distinct and many of them have strong arcs despite this being a middle chapter of a trilogy; the gore brought to you by deliciously nasty FX makeup (the makeup department provides nuanced work in general), SFX and VFX is worth the ticket price; and the world-building continues to impress. DaCosta and cinematographer Sean Bobbitt capture the commotion with less flair than you expect (no phones were used allegedly, for example)—though rather handsomely nonetheless—but they leave enough room for us to chew on the story's examination of faith, meaningful connections and upsetting, inhumane violence. Oh, and did I also mention that the movie is really funny at times? Garland isn't messing around here either.

Williams carried much of the drama in the previous film, but here it is the showdown between Fiennes and O'Connell that is really the main event. Fiennes injects warmth, wisdom and inquisitiveness into Kelson despite his intimidating appearance, and O'Connell infuses Crystal with lunacy, odd humour and deceit despite his goofy style and way of talking. This creates a fantastic contrast. There is, of course, a standout scene where Fiennes performs Iron Maiden's 'The Number Of The Beast' where the actor's presence goes to a whole new level, giving you no choice but to raise your fist. The two actors bring the heat and deliver performances that will go down as some of the best of the year—they are assisted finely by Kellyman and Lewis-Parry, too, whereas Williams is stuck with one single emotion, which is slightly disappointing but not detrimental.

So, if you're clamouring for an absolute barnburner that is metal as hell and features brilliant acting and bloody carnage, you have come to the right place. Bone Temple is just what the doctor ordered. One shall also hope that we will get the teased third film. The ending of this movie is less confusing than that of "28YL", which raises your level of excitement for what's to come. Plus, humanity needs these strangely beautiful stories now more than ever. They're not for everyone and they won't make a fortune, but they're vital because they're daring, stylish and thought-provoking. Those who get it get it. Metalheads, we ride at dawn.

Smileys: Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell, characterisation, makeup

Frowneys: Score

Samson likes the moon and enjoys mooning.

4.5/5

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