Alex Garland’s universe of a post-apocalyptic world returns with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. The 4th installment of the franchise and sequel to last year’s smash hit sees the return of Ralph Fiennes and Jack O’Connell, with Nia DaCosta behind the director’s chair. The film is set to hit theaters this week, and I share my review and whether you should check it out on the big screen. 

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple follows Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), who finds himself in a new friendship that could change the world as they know it. While that unfolds, Spike’s (Alfie Williams) encounter with Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell) becomes a nightmarish pairing that he can’t escape. While the world is worried about the infected, the Jimmys start to become an even bigger problem for society. 

Last year, I was excited to reenter the world of the mind of Alex Garland with 28 Years Later. Sadly, I was quite disappointed. That said, I was rooting for Garland to get us back on track with the possibility of us seeing more in this universe with the return of Cillian Murphy in future films. Well, I can say this one didn’t exactly wow me either. 

At the end of 28 Years Later, we were introduced to the Jimmys. This parkour, kung-fu-like cult that wreaked havoc. Led by Sir Jimmy Crystal, we see the group enter into a house on their terms and start to skin the family one by one (literally). This is where I start to unpack the fact that they didn’t go far enough. If you want to be “Not Rated,” go the extra mile to make me feel uncomfortable. I remember after the movie was over my podcast partner Dom Fisher said exactly that, and I couldn’t agree more. 

It was almost like they pushed things to a certain point and let their foot off the gas. There is this lavish, wild, satanic scene that is set up between Jimmy Crystal and Dr. Kelson that begins to be so cool, but it gets a little too hokey and cheesy. If you are going to skin the people, let me see it, if you will go full-fledged into the idea of Satan, let me feel that uncomfortable nature that it brings. I want more. 

The unevenness of the first one in several elements bled over to this one. The score at times is strong, and at others it’s weak, which is sad for this style of movie. The script had moments of strength, but other moments you are utterly losing your mind. And the cinematography, the satanic scene I mentioned I was awed by, and others I was like, “This is ugly.” 

Two performances stood out to me here, with Jack O’Connell and Ralph Fiennes. I honestly wish they would’ve leaned more into the Jimmy that we saw at the end of 28 Years Later and had him be a little more playful. Even with that, O’Connell is rather great in this. Fiennes seems to be having the time of his life as the doctor. It was quite fun to watch him be a little more goofy here. 

Overall, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is another swing and a miss from Alex Garland in this world. My want for him to make the Jimmys more fun, the uneven script and story structure with the characters, and the overlong runtime really bog things down. If you enjoyed 28 Years Later, you probably already bought your ticket, and you very well may like this one. In the end, I have a little hope because of the final five minutes, but I am not overly confident.