New Scientist recommends 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

You wait decades for another sequel to Danny Boyle’s virus-based horror classic 28 Days Later and then two come along. Hot on the heels of last year’s 28 Years Later, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple picks up almost straight after the provocative final scene of its predecessor, which introduced us to a murderous gang led by Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’ Connell).

Indeed, the humans are the major threat this time, with the “infected” primarily represented by Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry), so called by Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes, pictured), with whom he has an unlikely friendship.

As these two stargaze and dance to Duran Duran (really), Kelson learns more about the virus and starts to develop a cure. But the characters are on a collision course, coming together for a truly heavy-metal finale.

While it can be a tough watch, there’s humour and humanity amid the horror. If the third 28 Years Later film succeeds, this may go down as one of the great movie trilogies.

Michael Dalton
Assistant magazine editor, London