Introduction
I caught 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) in theaters at an early showing. This is a continuation of the world introduced by Danny Boyle, but with slightly more candidness about just how outright horrible humans can be to one another.
If you know the 28 series, you know what you are signing up for. This film probably stands at the front of that message. This page is here to help you decide if it is worth your time.
Podcast Episode
If you want the full reaction and discussion you can listen to the episode below.
Is This Movie Worth Watching
Yes. Go see it, especially if you like the 28 franchise.
If you are a fan of the 28 series and want to see that world continue with a fresh perspective, this delivers. It feels more like an extended side story than main progression. I looked at it as a coming of age zombie flick. A glimpse of what it is like to be the first generation that only knows the world with zombies. We were introduced to a child stepping into the world in the last film, and in this one we are experiencing that child living in the real world. A brutally adult world. Forced to kill or be killed, abandoning any innocence, and obeying all orders of the demented Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal.
If you are looking for a conventional zombie movie with big zombie set pieces and high tension infected chases, this might not hit the way you expect. The body count caused by zombies compared to humans is a staggering ratio, and I really do not recall many memorable zombie kills. So if that is what you are looking for, temper your expectations.
Spoiler Stance
This review avoids major spoilers. I am not getting into specific plot beats or character fates.
What Worked
It is just a lot to take in. In most coming of age films your first experience with drugs is among friends at a house party. Our Spike gets that experience too, to the sounds of Iron Maiden and the intense visuals produced by fire flinging satan himself.
We get some awesome character development between Dr. Ian and Samson. There we see compassion arise and a new relationship form that could be both the bridge and cure to this infection. Though he has got a hell of a look about him, Samson is always shown to be a bright spot in that world, so it is great that his character had plenty of screen time to really shine and have fulfilling purpose.
The film commits to its brutality. When it came to the Jimmys, they killed zombies effortlessly, so there was never really tension with the actual infected as much as there was general tension and violence amongst the humans. That deliberate choice reinforces the message the 28 series has always been about.
What Did Not Work
I do not think this movie is for everyone. I feel like this is going to be a debated film because we are looking at a zombie movie where the zombies are not the primary threat. It kind of destroys the convention norms, and I think it might receive some rough reactions from people expecting a more traditional infected horror experience.
If you came in wanting relentless zombie action, you might leave feeling like you got something else entirely. Possibly too much to chew on in one sitting.
Final Verdict
Worth Staying Up For
I came into this wanting the fresh look at the zombie flick to continue, and I got a big healthy portion to chew on. Possibly too much. But I shall not complain. If you are invested in the 28 world, go see it.
Join the Discussion
Tell me do you agree? I want to know if you have seen it. 669 AFTER 12, 669 238 3712. If you want to keep it going, share your thoughts, join the subreddit, or respond to the episode.