28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the sequel to 28 Years Later and the fourth in the 28 Days/Years Franchise, is an exciting and very tense, yet comedic, follow-up to the previous films.
The Bone Temple picks up right after the events of 28 Years Later, which is appropriate since the previous movie was released only six months ago.
It follows Spike, performed by Alfie Williams, as he becomes one with the Jimmies, led by Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal, performed by Jack O’Connell. Meanwhile, Dr. Ian Kelson, performed by Ralph Fiennes, works on a cure to the Rage Virus.
Ralph Fiennes is a standout in the movie and, by far, the best part. His character arc follows his attempts to essentially domesticate Samson, performed by Chi Lewis-Parry, the Alpha of the infected, and who tried to kill Spike multiple times in the previous film.
The moments between Dr. Kelson and Samson are heartfelt, yet comedic. It’s like watching Marley & Me, except instead of a Labrador Retriever, it’s a giant, diseased man.
Fiennes spends a lot of this movie dancing badly to 80s rock, with Iron Maiden becoming important in the latter part of the movie. And, he gets all the best lines (“It’s no cost, I’m the NHS” and “Let’s turn this up to 11.”
But, he also acts as a voice of calm and reason, which is much needed despite the hopelessness of the infection.
Ultimately, we should let Fiennes be quirky and have fun with his roles more often.
However, scenes featuring the Jimmies are extremely tonally different, with their scenes being far more graphic than the previous films (three different characters have their torsos skinned mostly on-screen).
Jack O’Connell as Sir Lord Jimmy, like his role as Remmick in Sinners, manages to be charming, infuriating, and very sinister. Unlike Remmick, this is a more comedic role, despite the abuses committed by him throughout.
The Jimmies, a group of seven people all dressed like Jimmy Savile, blonde wigs and all, have two things they worship: The Teletubbies TV Series and Satan, with their ultimate goal being to sacrifice and torture anyone who is against them and Satan.
Primarily, the message of this film has to do with power and religion.
Sir Lord Jimmy, suffering from severe childhood and religious trauma caused by his father, is obsessed with power and control, even making members of his cult fight to the death to prove themselves.
As a foil, there is Dr. Kelson, an atheist who uses science, compassion, and understanding to prove the infection can be controlled through his treatment of Samson.
The themes are handled very well, and the movie is actually quite moving.
Of course, on the technical side, this movie also utilizes a handheld camera and unique camera angles, making it feel much more indie and organic than a blockbuster horror movie usually does.
And, the score, composed by Hildur Guðnadóttir, is beautiful and really adds to the anxiety-inducing atmosphere of the movie.
Overall, this is an incredible movie, even when compared to non-horrors, because of the brilliant acting from both Fiennes and O’Connell, the unique camerawork, and the music.
And yes, for fans of 28 Days Later and Cillian Murphy, stay for the end. It is so worth it.
