“28 Years Later” might have gotten great reviews from critics, but there’s no denying it just didn’t work as well with audiences, who were bewildered by the film’s tone, which skewed more toward subverting expectations and being totally different from its predecessors.
Here’s the new trailer for the sequel, Nia DaCosta’s “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,” which dropped in the wee wee hours of the morning.
Jack O’Connell, coming off “Sinners,” is front and center as the villain. The central dynamic is essentially a duel between O’Connell and Ralph Fiennes’ bone shriner, Dr. Ian Kelson, who has a larger role than in the first instalment
The script, penned by Alex Garland, is said to have a particularly shocking third act, which reportedly elicited a strong reaction from test attendees; the narrative supposedly takes a bold turn. Style-wise, the sequel takes a more traditional approach than its predecessor. Unlike the first film, there’s no evidence that iPhones or handheld cameras dominated the production; instead, DaCosta embraces a more classical filmmaking style.
The timing of this sequel is particularly notable given where the franchise currently stands. Danny Boyle’s “28 Years Later” grossed $70M domestically and $150M worldwide, but despite glowing critical reviews, it hasn’t connected with general audiences in the way Sony had hoped.
The third and final entry remains unfunded by Sony. Whether it gets made will hinge entirely on the second instalment’s performance. Boyle has even stated that Cillian Murphy would lead the third film, likely a move aimed at selling the project to both audiences and Sony head Tom Rothman, but whether the studio bites remains uncertain. The script for that final instalment still hasn’t been written.
“28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” has been dated for January 16, 2026 release via Sony.
