28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
The fact that we’re getting- allegedly- a trilogy of “28 Years Later” films after waiting almost two decades after “28 Weeks Later” shows that Danny Boyle and Alex Garland did have an idea of what they wanted to do when the time came to see what the world was like 28 years after the rage virus outbreak. Even though the world seems to have gotten smaller in the events of both Danny Boyle’s “28 Years Later” and Nia DaCosta’s “The Bone Temple,” it also feels like we’re getting a bigger look at how people are coping with the virus. It isn’t always in a positive light.
“The Bone Temple” picks up right where “28 Years Later” left off. Spike (Alfie Williams), who has run away from the community he lived in with his parents, was captured by a “family” of blonde haired cultists known as the Fingers. They are led by Sir Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell), and they all wear track suits and have blonde hair. (The visual look is obviously inspired by disgraced British entertainer Jimmy Savile, who- it was learned after his death- was a prolific sex offender.) They are a satanic cult whom are ordered by Sir Jimmy to sacrifice to Old Nick (his name for Satan). At the same time, we keep track of Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), as he does experimentation on Samson, the Alpha infected zombie we saw in the last film. Gradually, we see some humanity return to Samson. Has Kelson found a cure? And what will happen when he crosses paths with the Jimmies?
Filmed back-to-back with “28 Years Later,” the transition from Boyle as director to DaCosta (“The Marvels,” “Candyman,” “Hedda”) is seamless in style and energy. And yet, I think DaCosta gets the stronger performances out of this cast than Boyle does, even in a cameo that calls all the way back to the original film. The Bone Temple- which Kelson maintains from the dead he helps dispose of- is an absolutely powerful visual location that looks even more cavernous and haunted under the eye of DaCosta and cinematographer, Sean Bobbitt. And Fiennes is tremendous in reprising the role of Kelson. The scenes with Samson (played by Chi Lewis-Parry) reveal a sadness that was evident in the previous film, but is even more deeply felt as his bond with Samson becomes even more human. And, when confronted by Sir Jimmy, he goes full ham in the theatrics, and it’s a thrilling thing to watch. O’Connell is becoming a formidable antagonist in genre films between this and “Sinners,” and he digs into the manic, evangelical energy of Sir Jimmy. As we get to know that gang, however, it is obvious that not everyone quite believes the way he does, especially Jimmy Ink (Erin Kellyman).
I’m really anxious to see this trilogy concluded, and see where Boyle and Garland finish it at. DaCosta baited the hook beautifully with the craft she brings to the franchise, including a soundtrack that includes a terrific, haunting score by Hildur Guðnadóttir and some tremendous needle drops, including at a moment where Kelson leans into what Sir Jimmy wants to give his followers. This might be the highwater mark of the franchise to date.
