Director: Nia DaCosta
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell and Alfie Williams
‘A Spectacular Sequel’
When it comes to the greatest movies made about individuals surviving disaster, it’s worth discussing 28 Days Later. Released in 2002, it achieved praise capturing zombies over 28 days. On a personal level, I find the franchise relatable. I recall bombings that caused trauma in Saudi Arabia. I remember the time my family had to face bombings in a country that wasn’t a quiet place. Fond of Arabian sand, my parents regarded the Middle East a land where terrorism wouldn’t be planned. Little did we realize a homeland we considered paradise would crumble in front of our eyes. Arrival of terrorists caused dreams to crumble. Told to keep my eyes wide shut, I couldn’t do anything about a situation in which my family was stuck in a rut. In a stressful situation, survival seemed to be an impossible mission. As bombs struck my compound, hope seemed nowhere to be found. By a sheer miracle, my family survived the worst disaster imaginable. My parents’ desire to survive ensured I remained alive. I felt gratitude to parents that rescued me from disasters of huge magnitude. However, disaster stayed with me forever. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t set genocide aside. After the incident, I became sensitive to loud noises in environment. In the wake of bombings causing heartache, I spent nights awake. Haunted with nightmares, bombs echoed in ears for years. Even when my family departed the country, I remained affected by tragedy. Like the Rage virus, it became hard to discuss a event that was dangerous. To forget the incident, I turned to the power of entertainment. Seeing movies about zombies surviving 28 weeks inspired me to conquer tragedies. Today, it’s safe to say I have recovered from bombings leaving my family cast away. 28 years later, I value movies inspiring my recovery from disaster.
Now, the powerful zombies are back in the latest film “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”. Released in 2026, Nia DaCosta’s latest film captures zombie survival. Packed with breathtaking action, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a spectacular zombie blockbuster. At the centre of it all is Ralph Fiennes, who embodies a zombie survivor. Although “The Bone Temple” is riveting, it isn’t a flawless film. Its unevenly paced, building ambiguous conclusions. Nevertheless, it offers exhilarating entertainment for fans of zombie movies.
“28 Years Later: the Bone Temple” captures zombie invasions that are painful. Ralph Fiennes embodies Dr. Ian Kelson, a courageous survivor of terrifying zombie invasion. Dr. Ian has always shown devotion towards battling frightening zombies in worlds ravaged by destruction. However, Dr. Ian’s life dramatically changes when he forms a relationship with a zombie which causes disaster. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Dr. Ian wonders whether it’s possible for him to survive life-threatening zombie disaster.
Nia DaCosta has always been fascinated with trauma. Her blockbuster “Candyman” celebrated the horror character pursuing a psychotic plan. With “28 Years Later: the Bone Temple”, however, DaCosta made her first zombie blockbuster. It’s the filmmaker’s first attempt reimagining franchises about zombie catastrophe but she succeeds. Using captivating cinematography, DaCosta captures a zombie catastrophe. Evoking Danny Boyle’s “28 Days Later”, DaCosta effectively uses handheld camerawork capturing zombie disaster. For instance, handheld camera elevates the fire destruction scene. During this unforgettable scene, Jimmy Crystal’s gang commits terrorism setting farmhouses on fire. It brought back harrowing memories of the time when my family survived a frightening terrorist tragedy. Handheld camerawork is a tricky technique. As Denis Villeneuve’s “Arrival” suggested, handheld visuals elevates alien movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, DaCosta captures tensions zombie survivors are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” deserving appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive zombie movies ever made. Evoking John Krasinki’s “A Quiet Place”, DaCosta effectively uses sounds capturing hardships zombie survivors face. Throughout the movie, diegetic sounds signal dangers of zombie invasions. Whether its bombs exploding or zombies screaming, DaCosta uses digetic sounds to create zombie invasions that are compelling. For instance, diegetic sounds elevate the zombie attack scene. During this intense scene, Dr. Ian Kelson faces terror when he hears zombie invasions. It reminded me of my sensitivity to loud noises after bombings leaving me affected. Moreover, the music score is magnificent. Hildur Guonadottir’s music contributes to the movie’s success. It gives the movie intense atmosphere. Through bold production, DaCosta creates a compelling zombie invasion.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” is a zombie movie that’s engaging. In Hollywood, most zombie movies rarely address trauma faced by survivors of catastrophes. For instance, Marc Foster’s “World War Z” depicted individuals easily surviving zombie catastrophe. Thankfully, however, “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” avoids these pitfalls. Evoking Danny Boyle’s “28 Years Later”, the filmmaker uses symbolism to capture a zombie disaster. Throughout the movie, the bone temple is a symbol capturing bonds between survivors in a zombie invasion. For instance, symbolism elevates the performance scene. During this intense scene, Dr. Ian Kelson delivers a performance at the bone temple. It reminded me of how the Middle East became a symbol of my bond with parents following bombings. Symbolism is a tricky technique. As Robert Zemeckis’ “Cast Away” suggested, symbolism elevates movies about survival. Stanley Kubrick’s “Eyes Wide Shut” suggested symbolism elevates psychological films. Nevertheless, it works well. Through a spectacular screenplay, DaCosta captures zombie invasions with a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Ralph Fiennes delivers a career-defining performance as Dr. Ian Kelson. Fiennes achieved praise playing Nazis in historical dramas. With “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”, however, the actor took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy portraying a zombie survivor, but he succeeds. Evoking Jeremy Renner in Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s “28 Weeks Later”, Fiennes embodies a zombie survivor. With riveting expressions, he captures bravery, intelligence and grief of a scientist battling frightening zombie invasions. It’s a phenomenal performance from a great actor.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Ralph Fiennes, the supporting cast is also excellent and worth discussing. Jack O’Connell is powerful, capturing the evil nature of a cult leader seeking to resolve zombie invasions which are painful. Alfie Williams is amazing, bringing curiosity to a teenager forcefully treated by cults causing catastrophe. Lastly, Chi Lewis-Parry merits appreciation. As a sympathetic zombie, he is unforgettable.
Despite its extraordinary performances, however, “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” can’t honour a franchise about zombies that are powerful. DaCosta’s decision to integrate subplots about gangs into the movie is bold but hinders the pacing. Consequently, scenes capturing Jimmy Crystal’s gang violence aren’t as engaging as Dr. Ian’s investigation of zombie invasions. As Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed” suggested, subplots about gangs elevate classic crime films. Moreover, the film lacks a compelling ending. It’s an ambiguous conclusion without resolutions. Whereas this cliffhanger ending elevated Christopher McQuarrie’s “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1”, it clashes with the tone of this movie. At worst, the ending seems to be a marketing strategy merely intended to set up future sequels. Therefore, “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” isn’t entirely successful at honouring a franchise about zombies that are fearful.
Nevertheless, fans of the zombie franchise will definitely enjoy “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” and so would movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A spectacular sequel, it honours a successful franchise about zombie survival.
A dazzling depiction of zombies over 28 years, it’s a riveting reminder that stories of creatures evoking fears are worth telling in movies eliciting cheers.
As powerful as the bone temple, it has motivated me to move on several years after my family experienced painful bombings causing dreams of building sustainable homes in the Middle East to crumble by treasuring a commemorated franchise that taught me inspirational lessons that survival in any situation is possible.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 