'28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' will have fans raging for more

As with the other films in its franchise, "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" is not a cookie cutter horror movie. Aside from a bevy of Biblical allusions, "The Bone Temple" continues to offer something original and will have audiences talking about it long after they leave the theater.

RELATED: Superhero flicks in '26. Comic-book movies to be excited about

The previous movies in this series (written by Alex Garland and directed by Danny Boyle) leaned into a more artistic, thought-provoking direction than other zombie movies. "The Bone Temple" leans in even further with wonderful character depth, great visuals, and a story that will have audiences ever curious about what is around the next corner.

"The Bone Temple" is the second half of "28 Years Later." It begins right after the last one left us with a cliffhanger. Both movies were filmed back-to-back. As such, the bar for entry to this film is a bit high. It would be difficult going in without seeing the previous movies. I highly recommend watching "28 Days Later" and "28 Years Later" before seeing this chapter. But once you're up to date, "The Bone Temple" is a real cinematic treat.

But this also means that "The Bone Temple" can feel incomplete, as if it is intended to be the second act of a three-part story (if it proves successful at the box office, hopefully we'll get more).

RELATED: Why 'Black Phone 2' misdials and fails to connect as well as the original

"28 Years Later" was led by Spike (Alfie Williams), a 12-year-old boy venturing into the wilds of post-apocalyptic, zombie-filled UK. Spike is still around in "The Bone Temple," but actor Ralph Fiennes rises to be the standout star of this film.

Audiences will fall in love with his character, Dr. Kelson. It can't be overstated that Fiennes steals the show as a recluse doctor who collects the bones of dead. They are used to create a funerary monument to the people killed by the rage virus that has ended society in the UK. This art installation is the bone temple. Kelson spends his days making friends with a local rage zombie, Sampson, while wondering how the virus really works.

Meanwhile, Spike has been taken in by a cult (who he met right at the end of "28 Years Later"). It's leader, Sir Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell), preaches some bizarre ideas about the world. His followers are just as bizarre. Despite having an ally among the group (Erin Kellyman), Spike is trapped.

These two storylines eventually collide, leading to tough choices, and an amazing performance by Fiennes that will have movie fans talking for years.

When the first film, "28 Days Later" was released in 2002, it was filed under the zombie genre. Afterall, it's a about a virus striking London. This turns people into violent, rage-filled monsters (that can run) while making the UK a post-apocalyptic landscape. People endeavor to survive and fend off the rage zombies.

But with the recent "28 Years Later" additions to the franchise, these movies have evolved beyond the zombie genre. The rage zombies have become more like cavemen with some level of social structure. But the core purpose of a zombie movie remains: The film is less about the monsters, and more about human nature. It's about us.

RELATED: Did you see that? Movies and shows you shouldn't miss before exiting 2025

And just to clear up any confusion:

• "28 Days Later," released in 2002 and starring actors Cillian Murphy and Naomie Harris. It was created/written by Alex Garland and directed by Danny Boyle. It became a cult hit and a highly sought after DVD as it went absent from streaming for many years.
• "28 Weeks Later," released in 2007 by a different filmmaking team. It has a slightly different vibe. It stars Rose Byrne, Robert Carlyle, Idris Elba, Harold Perrineau, and Jeremy Renner.
• "28 Years Later," released in 2025. Writer Alex Garland and director Danny Boyle returned to create this third film.
• "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple," released January 2026. Shot back-to-back with the previous film, this is a direct continuation of that story.
• More years later? Probably more movies to come for this franchise.

There was also the movie "28 Days" in 2000, starring Sandra Bullock. It has nothing to do with these movies.

"28 Years Later: The Bone Temple"

4/5 stars

Screen or stream? Screen, at the very least to reward Hollywood for making good films by paying for a theater ticket.

Rated R

Good for kids? No.