Fans of the 28 Days Later franchise are celebrating a new installment, 28 Years Later, which premiered this year and has been well-received. Sony Pictures has completed filming on a sequel titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, set for release in early 2026 and directed by Nia DaCosta. The newly released trailer suggests the film captures the same dark intensity characteristic of its predecessor, while aiming to retain some of its emotional core.
(Spoilers for 28 Years Later below.)
The original 2002 film 28 Days Later is often credited with rejuvenating the zombie genre in the 21st century. The narrative begins with the unintentional release of a highly contagious “Rage Virus” from a research facility in Cambridge, England. Persons infected develop into aggressive, mindless creatures who attack the uninfected, leading to a portrayal of “fast zombies.” The virus spreads swiftly through bites, scratches, or contact with infected blood, leading to societal collapse.
The 2007 sequel, 28 Weeks Later, introduced a new cast living in the periphery of London, where the country attempted to rebuild by relocating refugees into safe zones. However, one slip-up allows the virus to re-emerge, causing chaos once more. The survivors’ journey extends to France, where the outbreak recurs.
After a prolonged development process for a third film, producers Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland decided to shift the timeline significantly, placing the story 28 years into the future. The narrative finds Britain still under strict quarantine, with a group of survivors residing on an island accessible only via a heavily guarded causeway. Among the islanders are Isla (Jodie Comer), who is pregnant and facing a mysterious illness, her husband Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), and their 12-year-old son Spike (Alfie Williams).
The haunting Bone Temple stands at the center of the narrative, constructed from bones gathered from cremated remains.
There appears to be a growing cult-like atmosphere in the storyline.
The character of Alpha Zombie Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry) returns, alongside potential new threats. Former GP Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), a survivor from the original outbreak, has built a formidable temple using human bones—a reflection of the harsh realities they face.
In a significant character arc, Isla makes the heartbreaking choice of euthanasia upon discovering she has terminal cancer, leaving her son Spike to confront a bleak future. Shortly thereafter, Spike is rescued from an incoming horde by Sir Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell), a notorious survivor who heads a savage cult.
Spike, Kelson, and Crystal all have pivotal roles in The Bone Temple. The official synopsis reveals that Dr. Kelson enters a shocking new relationship that may alter their world deeply, while Spike’s meeting with Crystal spirals into a haunting ordeal. In this sequel, the moral decay among survivors emerges as a more formidable threat than the infected themselves.
Samson the Alpha Zombie also makes a comeback in this installment. The supporting cast features Erin Kellyman, Emma Laird, and Maura Bird as cult members under Crystal’s influence. While Taylor-Johnson’s character is mentioned, the extent of his involvement remains uncertain. Notably, Cillian Murphy will reprise his iconic role as Jim, suggesting he miraculously survived the preceding films and the following 28 years.
Fans can look forward to the debut of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple on January 16, 2026.
