Outline:
Spoiler warning! We’re talking about key plot details and the conclusion of28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,be cautious if you haven’t seen it yet.
Over two decades prior to his Oscar win for “Oppenheimer,” Cillian Murphy was battling zombie-like infected individuals in the U.K. in the 2003 horror film “28 Days Later.”
Three decades later, much to the joy of horror movie enthusiasts, Murphy returns to the post-apocalyptic world first introduced by the directorDanny Boyleand writer Alex Garland, thanks to a role in “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.” And Murphy’s injured bike messenger Jim continues to have a large heart.
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Much occurs prior to his arrival. The follow-up to last year’s “28 Years Later” reunites with Spike (Alfie Williams), the young protagonist from the earlier movie, who has joined the violent cult led by the satanic Sir Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell) and is now eager to escape. At the same time, Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) is conducting experiments on the enormous Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry) in an attempt to find a cure for the rage virus affecting him. The paths of Kelson and Spike eventually collide in a dramatic and intense way.
The director of “Bone Temple,” Nia DaCosta, talks about the major spoilers in the movie, including Murphy’s powerful return and a significant moment for the franchise:
What occurs in the conclusion of the new ’28 Years Later’?
The Jimmies end up discovering Kelson’s Bone Temple, and Sir Jimmy, who is beginning to lose authority over his gang, persuades Kelson to feign being Sir Jimmy’s father—believed to be Satan—so the Jimmies remain obedient. Following Kelson’s impressive fire-dancing rendition of Iron Maiden’s “The Number of the Beast,” he identifies Spike beneath a disguise and turns against Sir Jimmy to shield the boy. Sir Jimmy stabs Kelson, which proves to be a fatal injury, but Spike and Kelly (Erin Kellyman), also known as Jimmy Ink, confront Sir Jimmy. They flee, leaving Sir Jimmy crucified upside down on a cross.
Show a peaceful house located in the isolated English countryside. Murphy’s previous character, Jim, is shown reviewing homework with a young girl—likely his daughter with Selena (Naomie Harris, known for “28 Days”)—when she spots two people fleeing from a group of infected. Jim takes his gun and they move closer. “Are we going to help them?” the girl inquires. “Of course we are,” Jim responds. (In “28 Days Later,” he helped Selena and another young girl escape from a group of cruel soldiers.)
It’s truly satisfying to bring back a character that holds such significance for me as a movie enthusiast, and as a fan of the original film,” DaCosta states. Murphy visited the vast Lake District in England for two days of filming, and “it was amazing, dude. If someone had told me when I was 12, watching ’28 Days Later’ repeatedly, that I’d be directing the film where Cillian makes a return, I would have screamed, cried, and maybe even thrown up.
What is an Alpha zombie?
Samson is regarded as the Alpha among the infected, a commanding figure who exhibits unwavering determination while pursuing his targets, famous for tearing off a person’s head and spine. “The danger that Kelson faces just by somewhat connecting with Samson is significant,” DaCosta remarks.
The physician administers sedative darts to Samson, inducing a different state of consciousness that allows for the treatment of his scars and injuries, as well as enabling a conversation with him. This interaction, along with the experimental medications administered by Kelson, proves effective, as the Alpha recalls his childhood on a train with his parents when the rage virus erupted.
A significant moment occurs when Samson speaks for the first time – “Moon,” a nod to the astronomy book he was reading on the train – and he begins to regain his sense of life and humanity, although he now becomes a target of the infected.
One of the most remarkable aspects of this film is its sense of hope. And that’s why it’s so intense because it needs to be as intense as it is hopeful,” DaCosta states. The Samson storyline is significant because “you encounter a character like Kelson who genuinely believes in a person’s ability to transform. And I think that will remain crucial throughout the series.
Is there going to be a sequel to ’28 Years Later’?
A third movie is being developed, with Murphy – who served as an executive producer for the two “28 Years Later” films – set to reprise his role as a star, Garland once more penning the screenplay, and Boyle possibly taking the helm once again.
This trilogy belongs to Spike, but in every film, we had these extended moments focusing on the characters, and for the third one, it’s Jim,” DaCosta mentions. “I’m not exactly sure what will occur in that movie, so I’ll let everyone discover it for themselves later.
Murphy’s return, according to DaCosta, brings equilibrium to a rather unsettling film series. “Terrible events occur to everyone in that universe,” she explains. “Some individuals are Kelsons and Jims, while others are Jimmies, but we still cherish the Jims.”
This piece was first published on USA TODAY:Warning! Let’s examine Cillian Murphy’s ’28 Years Later’ comeback