Review'28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' turns franchise inside out with moral flip

Ralph Fiennes, right, as Ian Kelson in a scene from "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” / Courtesy of Sony Pictures

The legendary horror franchise “28 Days Later” returns with a bold and disturbing new chapter that challenges the traditional boundaries of the postapocalyptic genre.

Directed by Nia DaCosta, “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” is a direct sequel to last year’s “28 Years Later,” directed by Danny Boyle.

The story follows a young boy named Spike (Alfie Williams), who is captured by a sadistic cult led by the delusional Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell). While Spike struggles to survive a series of brutal gladiatorial games in an abandoned water park, the narrative shifts to the isolated bunker of Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes).

Kelson has dedicated his life to studying the infected from within a massive monument built of human remains. While the opening act may feel chaotic or confusing to some, the film eventually rewards patient viewers with a deeply layered and philosophical experience that flips the script on what it means to be a monster.

The most striking element of the fourth installment of the franchise is the thematic exchange between humans and the infected.

In a brilliant narrative twist, the Alpha infected known as Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry) begins to regain his human consciousness through Kelson’s care, a recovery symbolized by his red eyes slowly turning white.

In stark contrast, the human survivors led by Crystal become completely wild and mad. He leads a group of followers called the Fingers who all wear matching tracksuits. These people worship a dark and twisted religion and they are much more violent and cruel than the actual zombies. By the time they encounter Kelson, the cult members behave like mindless drones, effectively becoming the zombies of this story while the actual infected seek peace.

Jack O'Connell, front, as Jimmy Crystal in a scene from "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” / Courtesy of Sony Pictures

DaCosta brings a dark and hopeless visual style to the film. While some viewers may argue that the violence is excessively and repetitive, others may praise the film for using brutality to highlight a world where moral structures have completely collapsed. The large monument made of bones in the bone temple stands as a shining memorial to the dead, creating a sharp contrast against the destroyed old world.

The film reaches its peak during a strange ritual in which Kelson acts like a demon. This scene is both funny and scary, showing how brilliantly Fiennes portrays a character who keeps the movie emotionally grounded.

Although the young boy, Spike, does not do as much in this film, watching the world through his eyes helps the audience understand the deeper ideas about faith and survival.

The movie has divided global audiences with its slow pace and focus on character dynamics over constant action. However, the ending provides a massive payoff for long-time fans.

Also, the surprise appearance of Cillian Murphy from “28 Days Later” connects back to the very beginning of the series, sparking excitement for the final part of the planned trilogy. As the iconic music from the original film begins to play, it creates a powerful sense of nostalgia and anticipation.

The horror film serves as a bold middle chapter as it leaves the viewers to wonder if humanity can truly be found in such a dark world. While the violence is extreme, the film’s focus on memory and change suggests that even in such a horrible world, a small piece of humanity might still survive.

“28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” opens in theaters in Korea on Friday.