Nia DaCosta's "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" is a masterclass in internal dread and horror, elevating the genre to groundbreaking new places. This slow-burn build-up of tension, as we wait for the collision between Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) and the psychopathic predators known as The Fingers, is a deliberate choice that pays off in spades.
The film's tone is tonally more coherent than Danny Boyle's "28 Days Later," but no less daring. DaCosta's direction ratchets up dread expertly, making every scene feel like a ticking time bomb. This is not just horror, but a morality tale that takes us on a dark ride into the best and worst of existence.
What makes "The Bone Temple" stand out is its human empathy. The film is brimming with quietude, as we watch Dr. Kelson form tentative friendships with his giant, zombie friend Samson, who's more than just a mindless monster. This is a character-driven story that treats the audience like intelligent adults, not just fodder for cheap jump scares.
Alex Garland's writing is superb, and DaCosta brings her own unique chaos to the table. The result is a film that's both fun and exciting, with some all-time classic moments. But more importantly, it's a masterclass in building tension, making every scene feel like a descent into madness.
The performance from Ralph Fiennes is stunning, especially for a zombie movie in 2026. It's an Oscar-worthy turn that elevates the film to something special and singular. If DaCosta and Garland are allowed to make the final film in the trilogy, we'll have something truly remarkable on our hands – a generational piece of dark, visionary art.
The question is, will Hollywood get it right? The studio's greedy distribution models and anti-artistic state of being might just ruin this masterpiece. But for now, let's bask in the glory of "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple," a film that's better than it should be by a pretty wide margin. Grade: A-.
The film's tone is tonally more coherent than Danny Boyle's "28 Days Later," but no less daring. DaCosta's direction ratchets up dread expertly, making every scene feel like a ticking time bomb. This is not just horror, but a morality tale that takes us on a dark ride into the best and worst of existence.
What makes "The Bone Temple" stand out is its human empathy. The film is brimming with quietude, as we watch Dr. Kelson form tentative friendships with his giant, zombie friend Samson, who's more than just a mindless monster. This is a character-driven story that treats the audience like intelligent adults, not just fodder for cheap jump scares.
Alex Garland's writing is superb, and DaCosta brings her own unique chaos to the table. The result is a film that's both fun and exciting, with some all-time classic moments. But more importantly, it's a masterclass in building tension, making every scene feel like a descent into madness.
The performance from Ralph Fiennes is stunning, especially for a zombie movie in 2026. It's an Oscar-worthy turn that elevates the film to something special and singular. If DaCosta and Garland are allowed to make the final film in the trilogy, we'll have something truly remarkable on our hands – a generational piece of dark, visionary art.
The question is, will Hollywood get it right? The studio's greedy distribution models and anti-artistic state of being might just ruin this masterpiece. But for now, let's bask in the glory of "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple," a film that's better than it should be by a pretty wide margin. Grade: A-.
. Nia DaCosta is a genius, like for real, she takes the genre to new heights and makes you feel all the feels. The way she builds tension is masterful, it's like you're right there with Dr Kelson, feeling his dread and fear. And Ralph Fiennes? Wow, he's on another level 
. Fingers crossed the studio doesn't mess this up 
.
It's like they took all our childhood fears and turned them into a film festival 
. And Ralph Fiennes as a zombie? Game. Changer. 
I'm just hoping the studio doesn't try to turn it into some soulless blockbuster 
, because if they do, we'll all be missing out on something truly special 
.
anyway, I'm so hyped for the final installment of this trilogy, DaCosta & Garland are geniuses, no doubt about it 
their direction and writing combo is pure magic. Ralph Fiennes as a zombie actor? game changer 
I mean, who needs Oscar buzz when you've got a masterclass like this? A- is too harsh, imo 
gotta give it an A+ 
A- grade is like not even good enough for this masterpiece, i'm giving it a solid 100% 
. Its not just about jump scares and gore, its about creating a sense of unease that makes u feel uncomfortable in ur seat. And trust me, its effective 
. It shows we dont have to be cruel or dismissive towards the 'other', even when they're trying to eat us 
. But if not, then its just another Hollywood cash-grab 
. We'll see how it plays out in the box office 
. What really stood out for me was the human empathy in the film - it's not just about cheap jump scares or gore, but a deep exploration of what makes us human 
. I'm also loving how Alex Garland's writing is bringing out the best in DaCosta's direction - it's clear they're on the same wavelength 
.
. The question is, will Hollywood take a chance on it or try to water down its message? Fingers crossed they do the right thing 
. But seriously, Nia DaCosta's direction is on point! The way she balances that dread with some much-needed humanity is pure gold. I mean, who wouldn't root for Dr. Kelson and his zombie friend Samson? It's like they're the ultimate odd couple 
. The way he brings Dr. Kelson to life, despite being a zombie, is just incredible. I'm not even kidding when I say this film could be one of those rare masterpieces that transcends genre and leaves you feeling somber long after the credits roll 
. But for real, can Hollywood please just step aside and let DaCosta and Garland do their thing? This trilogy needs to happen! 
he brings such depth to his character, i was completely invested in his journey. can't wait for part 3, but ugh, if the studio gets ahold of it i'm gonna lose my mind 
the only thing holding me back from giving it a full A+ is that i'm not entirely sure if daCosta will get to finish this trilogy with the studio's interference 
. Still, the payoff is so worth it - that final confrontation between Dr. Kelson and The Fingers is INTENSE 
.
just saw this new horror movie "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" and I'm HOOKED 
, especially for a zombie movie. The writing is so sharp too! I'm literally dying to see what happens next 
... fingers crossed the studio doesn't mess it up 
. And the performances? Mind blown 
, I loved how it wasn't just about jump scares but actually made me think about humanity 
. This film deserves so much more than its grade... an A+ would be way too generous 
he's totally deserving of that Oscar! 
I love how the film has this perfect balance of horror and emotional depth, it's not just a mindless zombie flick but a thought-provoking commentary on humanity. And that twist with The Fingers is SO COOL!!! 
! I'm not even kidding when I say this could be the start of something truly special – a 28 Years Later trilogy that's gonna leave us all speechless 
! The Bone Temple is, like, a masterclass in building suspense and I'm still reeling from it 
. And let's talk about Samson, the zombie with a heart of gold 
! I love how Dr. Kelson forms these tentative friendships with him, it's so beautifully humanizing