Fans of horror movies are likely familiar with “28 Days Later” from 2001, an early film by Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle that featured actor Cillian Murphy, who was not yet well-known at the time and has since become an Oscar winner. The storyline is straightforward: a virus spreads in the UK, transforming those infected into violent zombies. A few years later, “28 Weeks Later” was released, presenting a separate narrative but set within the same pandemic scenario and featuring a cast of actors who were also relatively unknown at the time.Jeremy Renner, Rose Byrne and Idris Elba (Boyle did not direct, but acted as executive producer).
The franchise remained inactive for 18 years until last summer’s “28 Years Later,” which saw Boyle return to direct with Murphy acting as an executive producer. This marked a significant shift from the first two movies, as it leaned more toward artistic than horror elements.
This leads us to “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.”
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Although it wouldn’t be detrimental for audiences to watch its three previous installments, it would be quite beneficial to at least view “28 Years Later” since the events of “The Bone Temple” occur right after and feature some of the same characters.
“The Bone Temple” presents two narratives that eventually converge in the third act. The first follows the young Spike (Alfie Williams), who abandoned his secure and secluded island village to seek his own path on the mainland — that is until he encounters Sir Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell), asatanist cult leaderWho provides him with protection in return for loyalty. The movie starts with Spike’s initiation to become one of his “Seven Fingers,” his followers who wear blonde wigs and tracksuits and also adopt the name Jimmy.
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The challenge: eliminate another Jimmy, a task that Spike, with his kind nature, finds difficult to carry out.
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The second film features Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), a quiet and unassuming individual whom we also encountered in the earlier movie. Before the outbreak, he was a physician in regular society. Now, he isolates himself from others and has developed a passion for constructing a fortress made entirely from human bones (which explains the movie’s title). When he isn’t playing Duran Duran or Iron Maiden on his record player in an underground shelter, he’s working on creating a remedy for the virus.
His test subject is surprisingly unusual: a Hulk-like zombie referred to in the earlier movie as an “alpha” (portrayed by 6’9 Chi Lewis-Parry), whom Ian affectionately starts calling Samson. One might assume that Ian is foolish for choosing an alpha zombie for his experiment, especially since Samson can tear off a head with ease, more so than I can open a glass jar (which is why Ian is somewhat crazy). However, to everyone’s surprise, he starts achieving some success with the monstrous entity.
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“The Bone Temple” gives the impression of watching two distinct films. The first part is similar to 2008’s “The Strangers,” where we witness the group of Jimmys harassing and brutally attacking a set of innocent non-zombies at their farm, with Spike appearing to be a captive as well. The second part mirrors “Young Frankenstein,” as Ian and Samson develop a comedic buddy relationship, with the alpha zombie gradually remembering what it means to be human. Just like the legendary Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle, the two of them perform exceptionally well together!
Perhaps the most unexpected aspect of “The Bone Temple” is the absence of horror, even though it is ahorror film, which “28 Years Later” also faced. Although there are some sudden scares and a lot of blood, viewers don’t necessarily feel scared throughout the movie as we did in “28 Days” and “28 Weeks Later.” That’s not to imply that “The Bone Temple” is dull — quite the opposite.
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Fiennes, who had a late start in the previous movie, has significant screen time here as the charming and eccentric doctor, bringing some lightness to “The Bone Temple.” O’Connell delivers an energetic portrayal of the fanatically religious, violent madman whose self-assurance and dark humor captivate his naive young followers. Williams offers a compassionate performance, yet he is more compelling in the earlier film as Spike navigates a coming-of-age journey. Erin Kellyman also deserves recognition for her role as one of Jimmy’s “Jimmys,” manipulating Spike (and the viewers) with uncertainty about her loyalty.
Nia DaCosta steps into the director’s role previously held by Boyle. This rising filmmaker has explored the horror genre before with her praised “Candyman” remake, yet the direction here seems like a less vibrant take on Boyle’s approach from the earlier film. Alex Garland, known for writing “28 Days” and “28 Years Later,” came back to write the screenplay for “The Bone Temple.”
Although seven months might appear too soon for a sequel, “The Bone Temple” manages to set itself apart from its immediate predecessor enough to warrant the rapid release. Fans of the “28” series will embrace the fourth installment, but it could be challenging for this movie to appeal to those outside of that group. Still, “The Bone Temple” is an intriguing addition to this zombie universe.
“28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” carries an R rating due to intense violent scenes, graphic bloodshed, explicit nudity, pervasive profanity, and a short depiction of drug use. Duration: 1 hour and 50 minutes. Now showing in cinemas.
Original article source: ’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ Critique: Ralph Fiennes Adds Humor to an Unconventional Zombie Story