The infected world is back—and this time, it’s even more unforgiving. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple pushes the legendary franchise into chilling new territory, reminding audiences that in a broken world, survival doesn’t always mean salvation. With Danny Boyle and Alex Garland returning as creative forces and Nia DaCosta taking the director’s chair, the film promises a bold, unsettling continuation of a story that defined modern horror.
A newly released featurette offers a rare look behind the scenes, featuring candid insights from Boyle, DaCosta, and Ralph Fiennes. Their shared message is clear: this chapter is fearless, emotionally charged, and, in Boyle’s words, “just so extraordinarily intense.”
Watch the Featurette Here:
When the Infected Aren’t the Only Danger
Set after the events of the previous film, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple explores a grim truth—humanity itself may be the most dangerous force left standing. In the heart of infected territory, survivors are driven by fear, belief, and desperation, often blurring the line between protector and predator.
Ralph Fiennes stars as Dr. Kelson, a man who discovers an unexpected connection amid the chaos. At the same time, young survivor Spike (Alfie Williams) encounters the unsettling Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell), a bizarre ringleader whose influence sets off a deeply sinister chain of events. As alliances shift and moral boundaries crumble, the film paints a haunting portrait of what people become when the world no longer makes sense.
Danny Boyle on Trusting a New Vision
Passing the torch to a new director could have been risky—but for Danny Boyle, Nia DaCosta was the obvious choice.
Nia was the perfect choice to direct The Bone Temple. Alex Garland and I had long been fans of her reimagining of Candyman and recognized that Nia has serious horror chops – and a genuine love for the original 28 Days Later. She honors what fans love about the franchise while making the new film her own, taking the series into even darker, more intense areas.
Rather than replicate Boyle’s signature style, DaCosta was encouraged to carve her own path—an approach that ultimately strengthens the film’s identity.
A Different Style, A Stronger Impact
Screenwriter Alex Garland, who also penned the script, believes DaCosta’s confidence behind the camera elevates the entire experience.
From the start, Nia told Danny and me that the camera would not move in the way Danny moves the camera, and it would not be edited in the way Danny cuts,” Garland confirms. “That was very impressive to Danny because most people’s instinct would have been to duplicate his style, and Nia didn’t do that. That was impressive and smart. Her film is quite different, and that’s a good thing.
That creative shift allows The Bone Temple to feel both familiar and disturbingly fresh, expanding the franchise without losing its emotional core.
Letting the Film Become Her Own
For DaCosta, directing 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple was a rare opportunity to honor a beloved story while embracing her own artistic instincts.
What connects the two films is that they’re both bonkers, idiosyncratic, and artistically personal works,” DaCosta notes. “When I initially discussed the new film with Danny and Alex, I told them, ‘I’m going to make it my own. I’m not going to try to make ‘a Danny Boyle movie.’ Because that’s impossible to make. Alex’s script was very different from 28 Years Later, so it lends itself to a different approach. I could really put my imprint on it – to let my freak flag fly – and be visually adventurous and matching that with more classical filmmaking.
Her approach brings a striking balance of raw energy and controlled tension, creating a film that feels intensely personal yet unmistakably part of the 28 universe.
A Sinister Chapter Awaits
With its haunting themes, powerful performances, and bold creative direction, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple reshapes the future of the franchise. It’s a story about fear, faith, and fractured humanity—where survival comes at a terrifying price.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple opens in Philippine cinemas on January 14 and locally distributed by Columbia Pictures. Brace yourself. Something sinister is coming.
Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”
