28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
3.5/5
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple does not quite reach the heights of its predecessor, but it boasts moments of startling power—and may ultimately be judged by the success or failure of its forthcoming finale. As a middle chapter, it feels deliberately unresolved, sometimes frustratingly so.
Nia DaCosta capably channels the grammar of Danny Boyle’s original film, though the direction too often feels uninspired. One senses a missed opportunity for a stronger authorial stamp. Still, the film’s strengths are undeniable, chief among them Ralph Fiennes, who delivers one of the most memorable climactic turns likely to grace the screen this year. His Dr. Kelson lingers in the mind long after the credits roll—a reminder of how unfairly genre performances are dismissed come awards season.
Jack O’Connell is compelling in flashes, though the film’s greatest weakness soon becomes apparent: its emotional architecture. Unlike the richly drawn family dynamics that grounded the original, relationships here feel underdeveloped, robbing several key moments of their intended weight.
The true revelation is Chi Lewis-Parry as Samson, whose arc—particularly in relation to Dr. Kelson—adds unexpected depth and pathos, expanding on ideas only gestured toward previously. While The Bone Temple is ultimately a sufficient rather than fully satisfying continuation, it deepens the world in meaningful ways. That said, I remain invested in Spike’s journey, and am optimistic about the finale of this trilogy.