"28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" is a cinematic masterclass in internal dread and horror that leaves audiences on the edge of their seats. As the fourth installment in the "28 Days Later" franchise, this film serves as the second part of a trilogy, which, if successful, could lead to a third installment.
In my review of last year's "28 Years Later," I expressed concern that the film was innovative but incomplete. However, Nia DaCosta's "The Bone Temple" is a wildly entertaining and satisfying film that makes its predecessor more coherent and enjoyable.
However, audiences may feel frustrated with this approach, as charging people three times to watch what amounts to incomplete chapters of a story feels like exploiting them. Nevertheless, I enjoyed Danny Boyle's experimentation on "28 Years Later," and DaCosta's direction is tonally much more coherent.
The film takes place a few days after the last installment, with Spike (Alfie Williams) now part of a group of psychotic predators known as The Fingers. Led by Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell), these characters roam across the Scottish Highlands, killing anyone they encounter, infected or not. Meanwhile, Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) continues his research on the virus that turned most of Scotland into rage-fueled zombies.
As we wait for Jimmy and The Fingers to collide with Dr. Kelson and his zombie friend Samson, the film is a slow-burn build-up of tension and dread. While not much happens in terms of plot, DaCosta and writer Alex Garland focus on crafting a horror movie that treats its audience like intelligent adults.
The result is a masterclass in internal dread and horror that leaves audiences marvelling at the sheer brutality of the film's villains and the tender, chaotic absurdism that permeates every frame. The finale is legitimately so insanely badass that it left me smiling widely.
DaCosta's direction may not be as formally daring as Danny Boyle's, but it's tonally much more coherent. I'll be bummed if the third and final film doesn't move forward, given how beautifully set up it is.
Ultimately, "The Bone Temple" is a genuinely powerful morality tale that takes us on a dark ride into the best and worst of existence. It elevates horror into groundbreaking new places while treating its audience with respect.
If Boyle, Garland, DaCosta, and company are allowed to make the final film in the trilogy, we'll have something special and singular on our hands – a generational piece of dark, visionary art that could leave us changed forever.
In my review of last year's "28 Years Later," I expressed concern that the film was innovative but incomplete. However, Nia DaCosta's "The Bone Temple" is a wildly entertaining and satisfying film that makes its predecessor more coherent and enjoyable.
However, audiences may feel frustrated with this approach, as charging people three times to watch what amounts to incomplete chapters of a story feels like exploiting them. Nevertheless, I enjoyed Danny Boyle's experimentation on "28 Years Later," and DaCosta's direction is tonally much more coherent.
The film takes place a few days after the last installment, with Spike (Alfie Williams) now part of a group of psychotic predators known as The Fingers. Led by Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell), these characters roam across the Scottish Highlands, killing anyone they encounter, infected or not. Meanwhile, Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) continues his research on the virus that turned most of Scotland into rage-fueled zombies.
As we wait for Jimmy and The Fingers to collide with Dr. Kelson and his zombie friend Samson, the film is a slow-burn build-up of tension and dread. While not much happens in terms of plot, DaCosta and writer Alex Garland focus on crafting a horror movie that treats its audience like intelligent adults.
The result is a masterclass in internal dread and horror that leaves audiences marvelling at the sheer brutality of the film's villains and the tender, chaotic absurdism that permeates every frame. The finale is legitimately so insanely badass that it left me smiling widely.
DaCosta's direction may not be as formally daring as Danny Boyle's, but it's tonally much more coherent. I'll be bummed if the third and final film doesn't move forward, given how beautifully set up it is.
Ultimately, "The Bone Temple" is a genuinely powerful morality tale that takes us on a dark ride into the best and worst of existence. It elevates horror into groundbreaking new places while treating its audience with respect.
If Boyle, Garland, DaCosta, and company are allowed to make the final film in the trilogy, we'll have something special and singular on our hands – a generational piece of dark, visionary art that could leave us changed forever.
dont know if i'm ready to see what happens next but i'm def hooked now 
. I loved how they didn't make it all about explosions and jump scares, instead it's more about the characters and their struggles with the apocalypse. Ralph Fiennes as Dr Kelson is everything 
, he's so calm and collected which makes him even more terrifying 
. The way the director, Nia DaCosta, weaves together the plot and themes is genius, I'm not sure how they're gonna top this if there is a third film 
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plus with the plot twists galore, you cant help but be hooked until the very end what really gets me though is how it makes you feel about humanity we see this group of psychos in the Highlands just mauling people left and right...and yet dr Kelson's still trying to figure out a cure 
its not just a horror movie anymore, its like a commentary on humanity and what makes us tick. anyway, fingers crossed that they get to make the third film already!! 
. It makes you wonder if there's something lurking around every corner. The villain Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal is super creepy too 
, not just dumb zombies 
. I mean, it's not all about gore and action, there's actually some deep stuff going on beneath the surface. The ending is insane 
, I was literally on the edge of my seat. If they can finish this trilogy with something as good as this, we're in for a real treat 
. This time around, it feels like they've found a sweet spot between intense action and thoughtful horror.
. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, wondering what would happen next. And let's be real, those villains are just plain terrifying 
. I loved how the film didn't try to explain everything, it just went with the flow and let the atmosphere do the talking.
. It's like a masterclass in horror filmmaking - it makes you feel all the feels and leaves you changed forever 
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! I loved how it built up all that tension and dread, making me feel like I was right there with the characters running for their lives 
️. The way DaCosta balanced out the creepy atmosphere with moments of tenderness and humor was pure genius, making it feel like a wild ride that I couldn't look away from 
. Now, fingers crossed they get to make the final film in the trilogy – this one had me invested in the story and its characters so much, I want more! 
Nia DaCosta's direction is so much more coherent and I love how she built up this creepy atmosphere, it's like you're right there with Dr. Kelson and Samson in the Highlands 
I mean, I'm hyped for a potential third installment, but let's hope the filmmakers deliver on that promise 
and that finale? GAME CHANGER 
it's not just about survival, but about what we do when faced with darkness 
i love how the film balances that slow burn tension with some seriously intense action scenes. its like watchin the apocalypse from the perspective of the people who are tryin to survive, and thats what makes it so captivating 
what if the final film lives up to the hype tho? 
. its like they're trying to take us on a journey into the darkest parts of human nature... which tbh is kinda unsettling 
. anyhoo i'm super stoked for the next movie in the trilogy, fingers crossed they don't mess it up 
. Still, I have to give props to Nia DaCosta for making the film more coherent and enjoyable than its predecessor 
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. And that finale... *chef's kiss* 
it was insane! I love how Alex Garland's writing focuses on treating the audience like intelligent adults, no dumbing down here 
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it's like you're right there with spike and his crew, feeling the dread creeping in from every direction 
. Can’t wait for the next installment if it happens