28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) Spoiler Free Review

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is a powerful course correction for the franchise and, for me, a deeply satisfying sequel. Directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland, this fourth installment in the 28 Days Later series was shot back-to-back with 28 Years Later (2025), yet it feels remarkably more confident, focused, and alive.

Starring Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams, Erin Kellyman, and Chi Lewis-Parry, the film not only expands the mythology of the Rage Virus but also reclaims the raw intensity that defined the original 28 Days Later (2002).

As Spike is inducted into Jimmy Crystal’s gang on the mainland, Dr. Kelson makes a discovery that could alter the world.

Film synopsis

Set as Spike becomes further entangled with Jimmy Crystal’s gang on the mainland, the story runs parallel to Dr. Kelson’s unsettling discovery, one that could permanently change the world left behind by the outbreak. While the premise sounds deceptively simple, The Bone Temple uses it as a foundation for a much tighter and more compelling narrative than its predecessor.

I wasn’t a fan of 28 Years Later (2025), which I rated 2.5/5. I found it disengaging and visually off-putting. The excessive use of b-roll footage and erratic editing, especially during infected kill scenes, pulled me out of the experience more often than not. Instead of heightening tension, those choices felt distracting and oddly purposeless.

Thankfully, The Bone Temple avoids those pitfalls entirely. This sequel returns to a grounded, gritty visual language reminiscent of 28 Days Later, prioritizing atmosphere and clarity over stylistic excess. The pacing is noticeably faster, and the story is more concise, split into two strong narrative threads that eventually collide in a gripping and unforgettable finale. The ending is exactly what fans of the franchise have been waiting for. I was left with goosebumps, jaw dropped, and fully on edge. 

Performance-wise, Ralph Fiennes and Jack O’Connell are exceptional. Both bring a magnetic intensity to their roles, commanding every scene they’re in. There’s also a surprising touch of humor woven throughout the film, but it’s handled with restraint and intelligence, never undermining the bleakness or seriousness of the story. 

Visually, The Bone Temple feels purposeful and refined. Rather than trying too hard to be “artistic,” it lets the horror speak for itself, an approach that works beautifully. Nia DaCosta proves once again that she has a strong command of tone and tension, delivering a film that feels both fresh and faithful to the franchise’s roots.

Is it too early to call this one of the best horror films of the year? Maybe. But it wouldn’t be surprising to see 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple still topping end-of-year lists. For someone who nearly hated the first film, this sequel is more than redemption, it’s a thrilling promise of an even stronger final chapter.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is now available in theaters.