A Full-Circle Moment for a Genre-Defining Franchise
More than two decades after redefining modern horror, Cillian Murphy and Danny Boyle found themselves side by side once again—this time at the world premiere of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Held at the BFI IMAX Theatre in London on January 16, the event marked a meaningful reunion that thrilled fans of the iconic 28 Days Later universe.
Left photo: Cillian Murphy strikes a pose at the world premiere of “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” | Right photo: Danny Boyle take a photo at the world premiere of “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”
Murphy, who starred in the original 2002 film and now serves as an executive producer for the new trilogy, walked the red carpet with confidence. He joined the film’s cast, director Nia DaCosta, and writer-producer Danny Boyle, creating one of the night’s most talked-about moments.
Watch the Official Trailer
Get a glimpse of the terror and tension here:
A New Chapter, A Darker Future
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple serves as the second installment in the 28 Years Later trilogy, expanding the haunting world first envisioned by Alex Garland and Danny Boyle. With DaCosta at the helm, the film pushes the franchise into more unsettling and emotionally charged territory.
The story follows Dr. Kelson (played by Ralph Fiennes), whose shocking discovery places him at the center of events that could reshape the fate of humanity. Along the way, Spike (Alfie Williams) encounters the deeply disturbing cult leader Jimmy Crystal, portrayed with chilling intensity by Jack O’Connell. As their paths collide, the line between survival and belief becomes dangerously thin.
Director Nia DaCosta interacts with fans at the world premiere of “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”
Now Showing in Philippine Cinemas
With its powerful performances, intense atmosphere, and fearless storytelling, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple proves the franchise still has sharp teeth. Horror fans in the Philippines can catch the latest chapter now, as the film is currently showing in cinemas nationwide. Distributed locally by Columbia Pictures PH.
Following directly after the events of 28 Years Later, the sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, pretty much pulls back from the infected to the crazy people who have been forced to survive in a ravaged world. Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) shows a wide range of emotions as he makes contact with the Alpha (Chi Lewis-Parry). Through Kelson and Alpha’s interactions, we find vestiges of hope.
Meanwhile, Spike (Alfie Williams) has now joined the brutal group called The Fingers, led by Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell). Spike’s storyline is where all the brutality and gore kicks in, as Jimmy and his gang (each member also named Jimmy), raid the surrounding camps, killing the infected with ease and torturing anyone who gets in their way.
Alex Garland’s screenplay with direction by Nia DaCosta, borrows themes from the first film, 28 Days Later, to explore the dark soul of human nature when faced with an apocalyptic situation. Jimmy Crystal’s gang eat up every word of his dark gospel, claiming that the infected are creatures of Satan and that Jimmy himself is the son of all that is evil. All of Spike’s innocence and warmth is slowly dwindling under such gruesome company.
The film highlights human nature’s tendency to rule with might once all agents of order have ceased to exert their influence. There’s an allegory here that harkens to current world events, though I may be overreaching.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple | Photo & Video Credit: Columbia Pictures
On the other hand, Kelson’s attempts to connect and communicate with Alpha brings the franchise into a whole new chapter, echoing the messages of hope of the second film, 28 Weeks Later. This half of the film is filled with tenderness and, surprisingly, moment of great humor. The dread and fear is always hang over these scenes, but Fiennes infuses Dr. Kelson with such quiet power that we trust that he can find a way to calm the rage virus.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple | Photo & Video Credit: Columbia Pictures
What is incredible about this movie (and the franchise as a whole) is how it keeps us guessing. I really enjoyed 28 Years Later for its sense of duality (as I mentioned in my review), and while this film also shares that same dual tone, its messaging is very different.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple | Photo & Video Credit: Columbia Pictures
While 28 Years Later is about the role of parents during times of crisis, and how the youth must come of age too early during periods of stress and constant danger, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple dissects the duality of human nature. One path is set to destroy, remake the world in the image that they think the world has become; whereas the other clings to the things that make us human – knowledge, science, medicine, culture – and uses empathy to try and fix what is broken.
Everyone is pushing out strong performances, left and right. Erin Kellyman, one of the Jimmys who begins to question the veracity of Jimmy Crystal’s claims of being the son of Satan, is an arresting actress. Acting through the outrageous wig and the bursts of violence, she creates an almost safe space for Spike to remember what it means to be human. But make no mistake, she is very dangerous and deeply unpredictable.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple | Photo & Video Credit: Columbia Pictures
O’Connell and Williams also deliver strong performances that heighten the tension in their scenes together, with O’Connell providing both danger and charm. Lewis-Parry is a powerful presence who gets to do a lot more in this installment. But the real MVP of this film is Fiennes. We get to see more of Dr. Kelson and the kind of person that he is and was. He shifts from nurturing to little moments of whimsy that turn Dr. Kelson from an interesting character to an unforgettable one.
A follow-up to this movie is already in the works, but in all honesty, I feel that if the story ended here, it would still work. There’s a sense of finality to it that really highlights the best and worst of human nature. It’s a strong example of the genre and one that wonderfully breaks new ground.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Thrills, terror, and a standout performance by Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Kelson await in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Feel the fear, witness the gore, and catch the rare flashes of humanity. Check showtimes near you and see it on the big screen now.
More than two decades after the Rage virus first tore through Britain, the world of 28 Years Later has grown even more grim—and gripping. In 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, now showing in Philippine cinemas, survival no longer means running or hiding. It means finding meaning in the madness.
Directed by Nia DaCosta, this haunting sequel brings us face to face with the emotional aftermath of a world ravaged by infection—and introduces a different kind of hero in Dr. Ian Kelson, played by three-time Oscar nominee Ralph Fiennes.
A Doctor Among the Dead
Dr. Kelson is not your typical survivor.
Instead of barricading himself away or hunting infected, he’s building something… monumental. Known as “The Bone Temple,” Kelson’s massive ossuary is both a sanctuary and a shrine—a tribute to the lives lost in the apocalypse.
“The Bone Temple reminds us that everything seems hopeless,” director Nia DaCosta says. “But at the same time, if you’re still alive, you can accomplish something meaningful with your life. For Dr. Ian Kelson, it’s building this monument to death, which inversely, is what gives him the energy to live.”
For Kelson, death isn’t the end—it’s a reason to keep going. Among the bones, he finds peace. In honoring the dead, he reconnects with life.
Watch the Official Trailer here:
When the Infected Are No Longer Just Monsters
Most survivors view the infected with fear and fury. But Kelson? He sees more.
One infected in particular—Samson, a towering, hyper-evolved Alpha—challenges everything Kelson thought he knew about the virus. While the world sees a predator, Kelson sees potential.
“We’ve seen Samson do monstrous things,” DaCosta notes, “but Kelson sees a lot more to him.”
This unlikely bond becomes the emotional backbone of the film—something raw, dangerous, and strangely moving.
Inside the Mind of the Infected
Fiennes describes this chapter of the trilogy as a deep psychological journey—one that blurs the lines between monster and man.
“The new film explores the theme of innate humanity – is it still alive in the soul, in the heart, and in the mind of an infected person?” he asks. “Are they completely corrupted? Or is there the possibility of something human still there?”
In The Bone Temple, the horror isn’t just physical—it’s existential. Are the infected completely consumed by Rage, or is something human still flickering underneath?
Meet Samson: The Evolution of Fear
Portrayed by Chi Lewis-Parry, Samson is no ordinary infected.
He’s faster. Stronger. Smarter.
Samson represents hope. When we met Samson, he was an apex predator committing monstrously violent acts. The mutation of the virus has had a steroidal effect on some of the infected, including Samson, turning him into a kind of super-infected.”
But it’s not just about power. Samson’s evolution hints at something more: awareness. He isn’t just reacting—he’s thinking.
“We understand that he is an intelligent creature and not just a mindless, rage-filled infected creature,” Lewis-Parry continues. “So, we tried to put a purpose behind the violence.”
A Bond That Could Change Everything
The connection between Kelson and Samson is nothing short of electric. It’s terrifying, yes—but also tender.
“The dynamic is fueled by Kelson’s loneliness, as well as his curiosity,” DaCosta explains. “It’s almost like one couldn’t exist without the other, and it’s a very potent combination. For Samson, the morphine brings them together in a way that’s initially terrifying – we’ve seen him rip people’s heads off! As the complexity of Samson’s thoughts and cognitive processes becomes apparent, Kelson recognizes this, leading to the development of a relationship between them.”
Morphine becomes the key to their interaction, offering moments of calm between them. But those quiet moments reveal something astonishing: Samson is thinking. Processing. Choosing.
As Kelson begins to see Samson as more than just a monster, the question arises: Could this bond lead to the key to ending—or evolving—the virus?
Brutal, Bold, and Unexpected
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple isn’t your typical post-apocalyptic thriller. It’s a character-driven, emotionally-charged meditation on survival, grief, and what it means to be human in a world that has forgotten what that looks like.
Ralph Fiennes commands the screen with a performance that is both haunting and hopeful, bringing gravitas to a role that could’ve easily been swallowed by genre clichés.
With stunning visuals, a gripping pace, and a bold script, DaCosta takes the franchise in a thrilling new direction—one that rewards fans and newcomers alike.
Now Showing in Cinemas Nationwide
Whether you’re here for the scares, the story, or the stunning performances, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple delivers on every front. It’s a raw, riveting continuation of a beloved series—it’s playing now in cinemas across the Philippines and distributed locally by Columbia Pictures.
Step into the world of Rage. Experience the evolution. Watch The Bone Temple today.
It’s New Movies Wednesday, and the mid-January movie calendar just got a whole lot more exciting. Opening in cinemas today are Greenland 2: Migration, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, A Werewolf Boy, The History of Sound, and The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants. From world-ending survival stories and nerve-shredding horror to tender coming-of-age drama sweeping romance and animated family fun, this week’s new movies cover every possible mood. Whether you’re planning a serious cinema night or a lighthearted big-screen escape, there’s a fresh release ready to match your vibe.
Let’s check out what’s new on the big screen today.
Survival is only the beginning in this high-stakes sequel. After finding refuge in the Greenland bunker when the comet Clarke devastated Earth, the Garrity family faces their most dangerous journey yet. With resources running out, they must cross a shattered Europe in search of a new place to call home.
Gerard Butler returns in full survival mode, backed by relentless tension and large-scale spectacle. This is gripping, emotionally charged cinema that asks how far a family can go when the world has already ended once.
Why watch it now? Because big-screen suspense hits harder when the stakes are global.
The infected world grows darker in this chilling new chapter. Dr. Kelson becomes entangled in a shocking relationship with consequences that threaten humanity’s fragile future, while Spike’s encounter with Jimmy Crystal spirals into an inescapable nightmare.
Anchored by haunting performances and an atmosphere thick with dread, this film leans into psychological terror as much as physical danger. Fans of smart, unsettling sci-fi horror will find plenty to hold onto here.
Why see it in cinemas? Because fear feels more intense when shared in the dark.
This tender drama explores connection, compassion, and the pull of human nature. A teenage girl moves with her family to the countryside and encounters a mysterious, feral boy living on their land. As she helps him learn how to live among people, a fragile bond forms, challenged by instincts that cannot be easily tamed.
Why watch it this week? Because smaller stories can leave the biggest impact.
Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century America, this lyrical drama follows Lionel, a gifted music student, whose life changes after meeting David at the Boston Conservatory in 1917. United by a shared love for folk music, their connection is rekindled years later through a letter that leads them on an unexpected journey through rural Maine to preserve traditional songs.
With Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor at its heart, the film blends romance, memory, and music into a moving reflection on love and legacy.
Why catch it on the big screen? Because its quiet beauty deserves space to breathe.
SpongeBob is back, bigger and bolder than ever. Determined to prove himself to Mr. Krabs, SpongeBob follows the legendary Flying Dutchman on a swashbuckling seafaring quest that takes him to the deepest depths of the ocean. Along the way, familiar faces and laugh-out-loud moments keep the adventure moving at full speed.
Colorful, silly, and packed with heart, this animated outing is perfect for families, longtime fans, and anyone who wants a joyful escape.
Why watch it today? Because some characters never outgrow the big screen.
FAN FAVORITES STILL SHOWING
Missed last week’s releases? No worries, these crowd-pleasers are still packing theaters with action, laughs, and heart. Here’s what’s holding strong:
From apocalyptic journeys and terrifying futures to heartfelt dramas and animated adventures, this week’s new movies cover every corner of the big screen experience. Catch Greenland 2 Migration, 28 Years Later The Bone Temple, A Werewolf Boy, The History of Sound, or The SpongeBob Movie Search for SquarePants starting today. So tag your crew, grab that extra-buttered popcorn, and catch these must-see films. Stay tuned for next week’s fresh batch of releases and updates. Keep ClickTheCity bookmarked for the latest showtimes, your next movie is a click away!
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.
Just when you thought the terror had ended, it mutates.
The post-apocalyptic universe first unleashed by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland returns with a chilling new chapter—28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Directed by the visionary Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels), this psychological horror-thriller revisits a devastated world where survival comes at the cost of your soul.
The Official Trailer is Finally here. Watch it now:
Set for release in Philippine cinemas this January 2026, the film is distributed locally by Columbia Pictures, the Philippine branch of Sony Pictures Releasing International.
Rage Lives On – But So Does Something Far Worse
Gone are the days when the infected were the only monsters.
In The Bone Temple, the story picks up nearly three decades after the outbreak that decimated society. Ralph Fiennes reprises his role as the enigmatic Dr. Kelson, now entangled in a mysterious and dangerous relationship that could alter humanity’s future. Meanwhile, Alfie Williams returns as Spike, a hardened survivor whose path collides with a new antagonist—Jimmy Crystal, portrayed by Jack O’Connell (Unbroken, Skins).
And here’s the twist: the infected? They’re no longer the biggest threat.
A Darker, Deeper Descent into Horror
Forget what you think you know about zombie films. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple flips the narrative, plunging audiences into a terrifying exploration of human cruelty in a world stripped of morality.
As survivors form factions, alliances grow toxic, and trust becomes more lethal than the virus itself. Newcomers Erin Kellyman (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) and Chi Lewis-Parry add fresh blood to a franchise already brimming with complex characters and emotional tension.
Directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland, the film promises to push boundaries and unsettle audiences like never before.
Meet the Creative Powerhouse Behind the Film
This isn’t just another sequel—it’s an evolution.
Produced by a powerhouse team that includes Andrew Macdonald, Peter Rice, Bernard Bellew, Danny Boyle, and Alex Garland, The Bone Temple builds on the foundation laid by 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later. The film also boasts Cillian Murphy as executive producer, adding depth and prestige to the production.
⚠️ Credits not final and subject to change.
Mark Your Calendars: January 2026
Horror fans, gear up. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is set to explode onto the big screen in the Philippines this January 2026. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the original series or a newcomer craving intense cinematic thrills, this is one sequel that refuses to play it safe.
The infection may have started 28 years ago, but the horror is only just beginning.
Follow all updates, teasers, and behind-the-scenes reveals using the hashtag #28YearsLater and don’t forget to tag @columbiapicph.
