28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Stuns Early Audiences

January has barely begun, yet whispers are already circulating that the year’s most talked-about film may have arrived ahead of schedule. The much-anticipated post-apocalyptic sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, is drawing a wave of early responses, many of which are nothing short of effusive. The franchise, known for its bleak vision of a world ravaged by infection, appears to have found new life in this latest chapter.

One particularly enthusiastic viewer, @ragingmotelfire, didn’t hold back:

Idc that 2026 just started _Bone Temple_ is my movie of the year! Nia DaCosta is a brilliant director and proves why Danny Boyle handpicked her to direct! Jack O’Connell and Ralph Fiennes put in some career-best performances & I couldn’t be prouder! I can’t wait to watch it again!

The sentiment is echoed by Ross Bonaime, who singles out the performances at the film’s core:

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is incredible. Really explores the idea of humanity in a world gone to hell in stunning fashion while also delving into the virus itself. Ralph Fiennes is tremendous. Jack O’Connell terrifying. I was grinning like an idiot for the last 20 minutes.

Critical Acclaim and Standout Performances

It’s not just the acting that’s turning heads. The film is being hailed as “the first summer blockbuster arrived in January,” and “the darkest of the series.” There’s a sense that this entry is less interested in treading familiar ground and more intent on pushing boundaries. Descriptions such as “Bold. Bombastic. Brazen,” and “one of the best horror sequels of the century,” have been bandied about, with Jack O’Connell’s villainous turn drawing particular attention. One viewer remarked that O’Connell’s character is “even more reprehensible” than his previous role in Sinners, “without having the excuse of being a vampire this time.”

Director Nia DaCosta, stepping in for Danny Boyle, has been widely praised for her handling of the material. @BrandonDavisBD offered this assessment:

I watched 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and it is REALLY GOOD. Nia DaCosta does a phenomenal job honoring the gritty 28 horrors. O’Connell is haunting & darkly funny. Ruthless & violent, especially early before heart creeps in. This felt more in line with Days than Years did.

Returning to the Franchise’s Roots

DaCosta’s approach is said to bring the series closer to its origins, with a tone and style reminiscent of the 2002 original. The film, penned by Alex Garland, features a cast led by Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams, Erin Kellyman, and Chi Lewis-Parry. Its UK release is set for 16 January 2026, and anticipation is already building for the third and final instalment, which is reportedly in the works.

The official synopsis hints at a world both familiar and upended. Dr. Kelson (Fiennes) finds himself entangled in a relationship with far-reaching consequences, while Spike (Williams) faces a nightmare in the form of Jimmy Crystal (O’Connell). The infected, once the primary threat, have been overshadowed by the darker impulses of the survivors themselves.

A New Direction for Post-Apocalyptic Horror

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple doesn’t simply revisit old ground; it reimagines it. The film’s willingness to explore the inhumanity lurking within those left behind, rather than focusing solely on the infected, marks a shift in the franchise’s perspective. Early viewers seem to agree that this boldness pays off, with many already declaring it a standout in the genre.