We kicked things off at the painful hour of 7 AM, after losing our original audio file from the night before… Yes, we recorded an entire review, then watched it vanish into the abyss of Meaghan’s laptop. So if we sound a little extra caffeinated or slightly delirious, that’s why.
But hey, at least we loved the movie. If we had hated it, there’s no way we’d be sitting down for a redo this early in the morning. The good news? This movie is worth the second effort.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple was one of those highly hyped follow-ups. We’d seen people who loved the first one say this was even better. Interestingly, people who didn’t love the first one also said this one blew them away.
That immediately piqued our interest because, let’s be honest, we fell somewhere in the middle on the first film. It wasn’t bad, but it didn’t leave us jazzed either. Good world-building, sure. Solid cinematography, yep. But a little disjointed overall.
Still, the premise and universe always had potential. So, seeing so many say this new installment nailed it? We had to see for ourselves. Spoiler: it did.
A Smarter, Sharper Sequel
From the get-go, Bone Temple feels like a course correction. Not because the filmmakers had time to change things based on feedback, these were shot back-to-back, but because the writing feels incredibly intentional.
Meaghan pointed out how the first film toyed with ideas like toxic masculinity and father-son dynamics (remember Spike and his dad?) but didn’t go deep enough. This time, it’s like the writers knew exactly what worked and leaned into it.
Arthur noted the evolution of the zombies, especially the terrifying alphas, as one of the film’s biggest wins. You feel the decades that have passed since the original outbreak, and the new variants are both chilling and fascinating.
And Arthur, a self-proclaimed zombie nerd who has books, comics, and even a zombie-killing knife by his bed, said this was one of the best zombie films he’s seen. That’s no small compliment. He liked how it blended different subgenres, action, suspense, and even humor, while staying grounded in strong writing and character development.
Characters and Storylines That Hit Hard
The film picks up not long after the last one ended, and follows two main plotlines. On one side, there’s Spike, who’s being forced into Jimmy Crystal’s cult-like gang on the mainland. And it’s as brutal and messed up as you’d expect.
On the other hand, there’s Dr. Ian Kelsen (played by Ralph Fiennes), who’s exploring a much more scientific and compassionate angle: can the zombies be understood? Communicated with?
This dual storyline works beautifully because it lets the film explore both brutality and empathy. Spike’s storyline shows the horror of indoctrination, violence, and survival.
Meanwhile, Kelsen’s side is quieter, more introspective. But no less gripping. His interactions with Samson, the massive, terrifying alpha zombie, are among the best scenes in the entire movie.
Meaghan said she could watch an entire film of just Kelsen and Samson. Their connection is layered, emotional, and haunting. It’s not just about science. It’s about humanity, memory, and what remains in a creature everyone else has written off as dead.
She noted that Samson (played by Chi Lewis Perry) was originally an MMA fighter, which makes sense because the guy is enormous, six foot eight. But it’s his physical acting that truly sells it. He doesn’t speak a word, but conveys so much through body language and subtle movement. The dynamic between him and Kelsen is the beating heart of the film.
Cults, Devils, and Metaphors
We spent a chunk of the episode discussing Jimmy Crystal and the twisted gang that follows him. The Jimmys, yes, they all go by Jimmy, are inspired by real-life UK media figure Jimmy Savile. Which makes things all the more disturbing. This layer of commentary was easy to miss in the first movie because the Jimmys only appear briefly. But in Bone Temple, they’re front and center. And it’s chilling.
We realized that since the outbreak in this universe began in the early 2000s (the original 28 Days Later timeline), Jimmy Savile would’ve still been seen as a public figure, not yet exposed for his crimes. Jimmy Crystal, a child at the time, likely idolized him. So this cult of Jimmys is not just bizarre, it’s horrifyingly believable.
That duality plays beautifully against Kelsen’s more scientific worldview. Meaghan loved how the film pits religion and fear against science and understanding without making it cartoonish. You understand why people would follow Jimmy Crystal. He’s charismatic, convincing, and in a world gone to hell, people want certainty. Even if it’s delivered with blood.
Jack O’Connell’s performance as Jimmy Crystal is intense and memorable. He makes you believe every chilling word. His scenes with Ralph Fiennes are some of the film’s best, smart, gripping conversations that let you see both perspectives. It’s unnerving how much sense Jimmy’s side can make when delivered with conviction.
Visuals, Music, and the Bone Temple
Visually, this film is gorgeous. We saw it in one of those immersive 270-degree screen experiences, which helped, but the cinematography stands on its own. Even scenes shot on shaky cam, which we usually hate, had purpose. And the way the film used the setting was brilliant.
Bone Temple itself deserves its own spotlight. Built using over 5,000 skulls and 150,000 bones (all fake, obviously), the set was jaw-dropping. But what mattered more was the meaning behind it.
Kelsen wasn’t just collecting bones to be creepy. He was honoring the dead. Creating a place of memory and reverence in a world that’s forgotten what either of those things means.
Meaghan compared it to a Memento Mori. It’s morbid, yes. But also peaceful. The set design is a character in itself.
The soundtrack was another highlight. Every song felt intentional, from quiet moments with Kelsen’s record player to the epic Iron Maiden scene that Arthur said alone deserved an Oscar. The music helped tell the story and deepen the emotion without being overpowering.
Setting the Stage for the Future
Without spoiling too much, we can say this: there’s a moment between Kelsen and Samson that changes everything. It’s powerful, emotional, and teases something massive for the third film. And unlike most middle installments in trilogies, this doesn’t feel like filler. It’s its own full, rich story that also happens to set up more.
We’re also treated to the return of Jim (yes, Cillian Murphy’s Jim from the original). That thread, along with new characters like Jimmy Ink, offers some exciting possibilities for the next chapter.
We praised director Nia DaCosta for pulling it all together so seamlessly. You can tell she cares about this world and worked closely with writer Alex Garland and producer Danny Boyle to respect the legacy while moving things forward. It paid off.
Final Thoughts
Bottom line: this movie blew us away. Meaghan gave it a solid 9. Arthur matched her. And we both agreed, this might be the best zombie movie we’ve seen in years. Maybe ever. It’s smart, emotional, beautifully made, and genuinely scary when it needs to be.
It doesn’t lean too hard into gore for gore’s sake. It gives you just enough to keep you on edge. But what really matters is how it makes you feel. It makes you care about people, even the ones who aren’t fully people anymore.
We can’t wait for the third film. And if the first movie didn’t grab you, don’t worry. This one will.