‘The Bone Temple,’ directed by Nia DaCosta and starring Ralph Fiennes, blends high-concept horror with artful production design in a film that’s as disturbing as it is beautiful
The Snapshot: Nia DaCosta dives into a sad, simple world in a visually stunning yet emotionally draining spinoff of the beloved 28 Days franchise.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
6 out of 10
18A, 1hr 49mins. Horror Drama.
Directed by Nia DaCosta.
Starring Ralph Fiennes, Alfie Williams, Jack O’Connell, Erin Kellyman and Chi Lewis-Parry.
Now Playing at Galaxy Cinemas Sault Ste. Marie.
While not scary in a superficial or obvious way, the ominous and eerie feeling of discomfort plays a key role in Sony’s spine-tingling The Bone Temple – an odd spinoff/sequel to the popular 28 Days zombie franchise.
In plain terms, fans familiar with Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s U.K. set apocalyptic movies and the carnage they bring will have a blast at the expansive and beautiful world building The Bone Temple brings thanks to new director Nia DaCosta, who leaves a strong impression in this creepy, zombie-filled world.
Newcomers, however, and those with weak stomachs are going to have a much more difficult time appreciating the fine actors and excellent production design simply due to how grisly, bleak and intense this new film is, especially compared to 28 Days, 28 Weeks and last summer’s 28 Years Later.
Yes, that’s right! The oddest part of The Bone Temple is that this is a continuation of another zombie action movie that was released a mere seven months ago.
The only difference is that the films were shot back-to-back in 2024 with two separate directors helming each half related by plot but unrelated in theme or subject.
This second half, thankfully is directed with equal heart and heaviness by DaCosta, who showed her talent in horror with 2021’s Candyman. She navigates the shifting tones with ease and brings out the humanity in these zombie survivor weirdos.
And yet, while returning writer Garland has composed great individual scenes and dialogue, there are two plots given equal time and focus that don’t come together until the very end, and it’s weird seeing this duology paired in one film, itself part two of a duology!
The plot is split between the research and loneliness of Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) trying to reverse the zombie infection of those affected and teen Spike (Alfie Williams, star of the last film) trying to escape his forced involvement with ruthless gang leader Jimmy (Jack O’Connell).
How unusual is it that this is the second week in a row Ralph Fiennes is starring in a movie for Sony Pictures? He was also the star of last week’s The Choral, and the roles of Ian Kelson and the choirmaster Dr. Guthrie couldn’t be more different.
Read more here: The Choral hits some hopeful notes – Review
Watching this is somewhat like the horror equivalent of Wicked: For Good, particularly when there’s a question if this stretched out plot wouldn’t have just been more effective as an extended ending to the first film most audiences have already seen.
Everyone in the cast is grounded and realized as their characters, treating the script with an appropriate amount of seriousness without looking deranged. Fiennes, Williams and O’Connell all return from last year’s film, but their strong co-stars Erin Kellyman and Chi Lewis-Parry get far more screen time with them.
The graphic violence in the film is off-putting in one regard, especially in the context of the plot, seeing Jimmy’s gang pull off some really grisly stuff. That alone makes The Bone Temple too intense for standard moviegoers, but the rest of the film is too gentle in tone for horror addicts.
Despite the plot’s disconnect, this is still a well directed and acted zombie drama. But if your gut is telling you to stay home, it’s a good idea to listen. Otherwise you’ll be seeing more zombie guts than you’re ready for.
Finally, a special shout out is well earned for Fiennes’ dancing in the film. I can’t say more without spoiling what happens, but his performance set to Iron Maiden was the highlight of the movie. You’ll know it when you see it!
