A dramatically superior follow-up to the VERY entry in the series, 28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE arrives in a time of year that feels like a dumping ground for wide release movies, but I was legit shocked to see a “sequel” of sorts beautifully build a world with two major connecting character points and actually come over as superior to Danny Boyle’s movie which we JUST saw in cinemas last year. As part of a series written by Alex Garland (EX MACHINA, CIVIL WAR) this movie not only adds to the decades long series but also becomes something new and interesting, which is refreshing in an era where every sequel or IP picture just stays the same and serves you the same Big Mac over and over again.
Picking up almost immediately where the last picture left off, we follow the young Spike (Alfie Williams) who meets a cult that gives me major vibes of the Droogs from A CLOCKWORK ORANGE and is led by Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell). Also at this point Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) still resides at his lair made out of bones and makes a connection with an infected man who may or may not have a clue to a solution to the infected. Eventually these two character threads do connect with each other and in quite unique ways, keeping things interesting.
Filmmaker Nia DiCosta (CANDYMAN, THE MARVELS and the recent HEDDA) initially didn’t seem like the ideal choice here but boy does she bring it. She has her own vision here to dare-to-compare with Boyle’s use of phone photography, ultra-widescreen and bullet time effects; DiCosta’s mix here is solid storytelling matched with soundtrack “needle drops” that are incredibly satisfying along with a good penchant for gore when necessary. THE BONE TEMPLE surprised me in just how much fun it all was while at the same time standing on its own in a series which I have found very uneven. The pacing and tension here are much more refined and the look and design also feel less chaotic than before, which is a quibble I have always had with the series.
The movie ends on a somewhat similar “cliffhanger” note than the “first” one did, but since it brings in a pivotal “legacy” character (sorry I’ll stop with the quotes now) this one didn’t bug me as much. Sometimes the “serial” (oops, I did it again) series of films can make things come across really stiff, but I do seem to really like where this is all heading. I am just happy that it won’t take years for the next chapter which I am eagerly anticipating.
28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE is now playing in theatres.
Boring tech notes: 28 YEARS LATER was shot entirely with the iPhone 15 Pro Max and you could really tell in certain areas. Here, THE BONE TEMPLE seems to be more traditionally shot on Arri Alexa digital cameras and has a much nicer, bold look than its predecessor.