There aren’t many franchises which peak at the Fourquel stage, but Danny Boyle‘s ’28 Days/Weeks/Years’ series has just hit new heights, and Danny can’t even lend his hand to it! Step forward Nia DaCosta, the American film-maker best known for becoming the first ever black woman to direct a Marvel movie. Also adding her directorial duties on ‘Candyman’, DaCosta has just hit her pièce de résistance in the shape of ‘The Bone Temple’, the swift follow-up to last Summer’s somewhat underwhelming ’28 Years Later‘, a ship steered by Boyle himself.
Of course, DaCosta‘s craft is assisted no end by the supreme talents of both Ralph Fiennes, and Jack O’Connell. Never did we imagine that the most iconic scene of 2026 so far would involve a tense stand-off between Voldemort, and Cook from ‘Skins’. But such is the supreme ability of both, it would be no surprise if I informed you that the pair carry this movie superbly throughout. The weight of Boyle‘s drab third instalment burdened remarkably on the contrasting shoulders of Fiennes, clad with soothing ‘GP voice’ as Dr Ian Kelson, and O’Connell as a Jimmy Saville cult-worshipping satanist, who labels himself ‘Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal’.
‘The Jimmies‘ are an audacious cross between The Exorcist‘s Linda Blair, and Suicide Squad‘s Harley Quinn, all dressed up like they’re about to ask if you like ‘Daggs‘ in a Guy Ritchie film. The blatant resemblance to their idol, whose crimes were so heinous that he himself could be considered the spawn of Lucifer himself, is a nod to the dark side of U.K heritage, and might be lost on overseas viewers who may also miss the references to the Teletubbies, an abandoned local leisure centre, and the nagging flashback of a ticket inspector on a Cross Country train. But where Boyle‘s portrayals contained vague themes of romance and compassion, for example the relationships between lovers, or Father and Son etc, this dystopian land feels barren and devoid of any lingering hope, which in many ways, is what allows The Bone Temple to feel so powerful.
Alfie Williams, returning as ‘Spike‘ from Part One of ‘28 Years‘, is now forlorn and abandoned, led only by O’Connell, who is – quite frankly, such a perfect b*stard – that his despicable ways might be in danger of leaving the Brit somewhat typecast. This latest flash of a lethal grin, cursed with rotting teeth, oozes charisma and follows on from his equally wicked role as Irish vampire villain ‘Remmick’, in 2025’s ‘Sinners‘. While Boyle focuses on the rage virus dripping with gore, DaCosta follows a paradoxical path entirely, barely featuring any of the infected throughout the 109-minute run time… With one vital exception.
In the form of ‘Samson’, The Bone Temple locates the most ‘human’ zombie to date. Although, once you witness that jaw-dropping love-rod on the big screen once more, you may be left wondering how human he really is! (Much like ‘28 Years Later’, this movie is another big treat for fans of oversized male genitalia). The endearing paternal bond between Dr Kelson, and his new half-soul of a friend is a bold plot-line to tread, and one DaCosta pulls off with aplomb, in no small part due to the brilliance of Fiennes.
Outdoing even his finest gems on a glittering CV (we’re looking at you, Voldy!), the Brit saves his power-punch for a fitting and frenetic finale, which has already instantly cemented a spot as one of the most iconic moments in his career, and dare we suggest… Silver-screen history, too. Prancing around with a perfectly choreographed routine to Iron Maiden‘s ‘The Number of the Beast’, Fiennes brings The Bone Temple itself clattering towards the culmination of a Shakespearean tragedy which topples into equal amounts of madness and cathartic release.
After the BFI Imax screening, DaCosta approached a member of Iron Maiden‘s management and asked if he was happy. “Am I happy?”, he replied. “Are you kidding me? People stood up in the cinema and clapped for it!”
But just when The Bone Temple looks to have saved the best for last, the sorbet of such a devilishly rich scene arrives to cleanse our pallet of our now blackened hearts… The return of an old hero from the movie’s formative years lets the audience know the saga is still, unlike most of its leading characters… Very much alive. SONY has now approved the trilogy in the ’28 Years‘ series (the fifth instalment of the franchise overall) but on the basis of DaCosta‘s supreme showing here, Monsieur Boyle will have to go some to top this. Or, as Lord Jimmy Crystal himself would say… HOWZAT!
How does The Bone Temple compare to your favourite films of 2026 so far? Email [email protected] for your thoughts on this movie, and this review!
