Enter the Bone zone.
In 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, we pick up minutes after the end of 28 Years Later with poor Spike (Alfie Williams) undergoing a cruel and barbaric initiation into a bloodthirsty gang called The Jimmys, led by the evil Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell). While The Jimmys terrorize the countryside, Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) subdues Alpha zombie Samson (Chi Lewis-Perry), befriending him and turning him into a bit of a morphine addict. As they spend more time together, Kelson begins to see human characteristics in the drugged Samson and realizes all hope might not be lost for the infected. Unfortunately, the Jimmys and Kelson are headed for a collision course which is guaranteed to explode minds and change lives.
Nia DaCosta does it again. She dusts herself off after the travesty that was The Marvels and ascends into the heavens. There is no simpler way to put it: The Bone Temple kicks ass. It’s religious-action-horror done oh-so right. DaCosta’s direction is sharp and self-assured. She lets loose and has fun with the proceedings. There’s one scene in the third act that feels like George Miller of Mad Max: Fury Road fame took over. You’ve seen said scene in the trailers, but it’s even more glorious on the big screen. It will melt your face off and is easily one of the greatest, coolest scenes in horror film history.
The screenplay is penned by Alex Garland, and it’s superb. This go-round he plays with themes involving religious perversion and finding humanity in the damned (even Jimmy Crystal has some humanity behind his madness). Alex Garland and Nia DaCosta do a deft job at balancing the depravity of the Jimmys with the humanity of Kelsor and Samson. Both stories are equally interesting, and they mix surprisingly well together.
The Bone Temple also has some very choice needle-drops throughout and its score by Hildur Guðnadóttir is quite good. The sonic landscape of this film is very appealing. The cinematography by Sean Bobbitt and editing by Jake Roberts are expertly done, although more traditional than the previous entry. The Bone Temple consistently looks cool and doesn’t feel like it runs at close to two hours. The proceedings fly by.
It’s rare to get a certified new icon in a film. The Bone Temple gifts us with three: Jimmy Crystal, Samson, and Dr. Ian Kelson. Jack O’Connell knocks it out of the park as Jimmy Crystal, an insane religious zealot and true believer who has created his own perverse religion and sees himself as a Christ-like figure. Jack O’Connell is quickly turning into a horror darling. He previously played the head vampire in Sinners, and with Jimmy Crystal he crafts another unforgettable character. Jimmy’s last scene is an all-timer.
Chi Lewis-Parry reprises his role of Samson, the main infected antagonist of 28 Years Later. He’s still fully nude with an impressively intimidating dong. Samson is the coolest and most interesting zombie we’ve gotten in a film in a long time. He reminds of Bob from Day of the Dead, but Lewis-Parry’s performance is more nuanced, subtle, and quiet. Samson is guaranteed to be a fan favorite. I can’t wait to see where he goes in the inevitable third outing.
Ralph Fiennes blazes brightest out of the entire cast as Dr. Ian Kelson. Between Voldemort and his performance in this film, Fiennes has cemented himself as a legend. Kelson has a lot of pathos, humanity, and heart which perfectly offsets the depravity of O’Connell’s Jimmy Crystal. The two do share some screen time and play off of each other perfectly. Fiennes’ fiery scene in the third act is all-kinds of awesome. It’s what solidifies Kelson as yet another icon The Bone Temple has to offer.
Alfie Williams returns as Spike, and remains a lead character. That said he’s not THE lead like he was in the previous film, those honors go to Ralph Fiennes and Jack O’Connell. Williams continues to provide an emotional, vulnerable and touching performance as a young boy who has found himself in way over his head and is desperate for a way out. Kelson and him share some history which The Bone Temple touches upon in a beautiful way during the last act.
Erin Kelleyman plays Jimmy Ink, and is a memorable supporting character and a possible lead in the third film. Kelleyman could previously be seen as one of the main antagonists in Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Winifred in The Green Knight. She does a great job as the Judas in the Jimmy gang. She winds up befriending Spike despite her own trepidations and assists him throughout the run time.
The ending of 28 Years Later had me worried for the second installment. Luckily, there was no need to fear. The Bone Temple has a lot more going for it than its predecessor did. For one, it’s better directed and paced than 28 Years Later was. There are no real dull moments here (although some of the technical elements impressed more in the prior production). There are some incredibly memorable scenes here, and three iconic and unforgettable characters. Not to mention this second outing does things and goes places most zombie films don’t. This is the rare superior sequel. Get ready to have your temple boned (no lube required).
4.5 STARS