28 Years Later: The Bone Temple – What to Expect from Nia DaCosta’s Zombie Sequel in 2026
As of January 10, 2026, the Rage Virus nightmare continues with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the highly anticipated direct sequel to Danny Boyle’s 2025 revival 28 Years Later. Directed by Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels) and written by series creator Alex Garland, this R-rated post-apocalyptic horror film serves as the second chapter in a planned trilogy. Shot back-to-back with its predecessor, it picks up moments after the shocking events of the first film, delivering a darker, stranger, and more intense experience that turns the franchise’s world “on its head.”
Running approximately 1 hour 49 minutes, The Bone Temple is scheduled for theatrical release by Sony Pictures Releasing on January 16, 2026 (UK on January 14), perfectly timed for the post-holiday horror crowd and arriving just over six months after 28 Years Later‘s June 2025 debut.
Plot Teasers: Humanity as the True Horror
Plot details remain tightly guarded, but the official synopsis promises a continuation that shifts focus from the infected to something far more terrifying: the inhumanity of survivors. Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) finds himself in a shocking new relationship with world-altering consequences, while young Spike (Alfie Williams) becomes entangled in a nightmare with the cult leader Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell) that he can’t escape.
The titular “Bone Temple”—the eerie skull-stacked monument built by Dr. Kelson—serves as a central location, expanding on its haunting introduction in the previous film. Early reactions describe the sequel as “psychedelic & methodical” yet “visceral,” with a bolder tone, more infected action (as requested by DaCosta), and themes of evil, faith, cults, and the balance between humanity and brutality. DaCosta has teased it as “quite… weird” and “surprising,” with jaw-dropping moments and a deliberate, meticulous style contrasting Boyle’s fast-paced, instinctive approach.
The story explores how survivors have built (or destroyed) their world after nearly three decades of quarantine, emphasizing that in this new chapter, people may be the greatest threat.
Cast: Returning Stars and Franchise Legacy
Key returning actors include:
- Ralph Fiennes as the mysterious Dr. Kelson, central to the bone temple and its secrets
- Jack O’Connell as the chilling cult leader Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal
- Alfie Williams as Spike, whose journey continues into darker territory
- Erin Kellyman and Chi Lewis-Parry (as the fearsome Alpha infected Samson)
Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Jamie) and Jodie Comer (Isla) from the first film have limited or no return (with Taylor-Johnson noting the back-to-back shoot), though their legacy lingers. Early buzz praises strong performances from Fiennes and O’Connell, with DaCosta allowing more time for subtle, emotional depth in close-ups.
The film builds on the trilogy’s themes—British isolationism, cultural decline, family, evil—setting up potential redemption in the untitled third installment (already greenlit, with Boyle potentially returning to direct and Cillian Murphy in talks to reprise Jim from 28 Days Later).
What to Expect: Style, Tone, and Early Buzz
DaCosta brings her personal, idiosyncratic vision—protective of the legacy but refusing to copy Boyle’s kinetic style. Expect:
- More infected and visceral gore
- Psychedelic, methodical pacing with brutal moments
- Cultish elements (the “Jimmies” and faith/religion themes)
- Dynamic camerawork and a deliberate approach to horror
Early reactions from screenings are glowing: “primal, disturbingly dark,” “extraordinarily intense,” “a great middle chapter,” and “exactly how you do a trilogy sequel.” It balances humanity with terror, recapturing the franchise’s magic while feeling fresh and unsettling.
If you loved the emotional coming-of-age in 28 Years Later but crave something weirder and more horrifying, this could be the bold evolution fans have waited for.
Where to Watch 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (as of January 10, 2026) Currently in theaters starting January 16 (pre-sales available).
- Book tickets and showtimes: Fandango – 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
- Official trailers: Check YouTube or Sony Pictures channels (first trailer released September 2025) Streaming likely on Netflix around mid-April 2026 (based on patterns), but head to theaters for the full intensity!
What do you think—ready for more Rage Virus terror? Excited about DaCosta’s “weird” take? Share in the comments!
