28 Years Later: The Bone Temple 2025 Review

28 Years Later: Bone Temple arrives just seven months after the release of 28 Years Later, and while it brings back some familiar faces and ramps up the technical quality, the film struggles to justify its existence beyond sheer shock value. It’s a messy, ultra-violent chapter that seems far more interested in splattering the screen with gore than delivering anything close to a meaningful narrative. That’s not to say it’s entirely without merit, but if you’re looking for a story with emotional weight, you may walk away feeling like something vital is missing.

The film opens almost immediately after the events of the previous instalment. The infection is still raging, the world is still in chaos, and this time, the characters find themselves navigating the eerie ruins of a decrepit underground temple deep in the wastelands of what was once London. While this premise could have led to some interesting world-building or thematic exploration, the filmmakers seem content to use the setting as nothing more than a grimy playground for grotesque encounters and loud noise. What we end up with is something that feels less like a narrative film and more like a haunted house walkthrough on steroids.

There’s virtually no clear goal for the characters. No defined mission. No emotional throughline. It plays out like a “day in the life” of this broken world, which might sound like a bold creative choice, but in practice, it’s a frustratingly empty one. With no real stakes to latch onto and no sense of progression, you’re left watching scene after scene of carnage without any real investment in where it’s heading. The violence becomes numbing. The shock wears off. And what could have been a gritty, emotionally charged sequel ends up feeling like a brutal side quest stretched to feature length.

Still, it’s not all a disaster. In fact, the cast do some incredibly heavy lifting here, and if this film has one saving grace, it’s the performances. Ralph Fiennes once again proves that he can elevate any material he touches. Even when the script gives him little to work with, he finds a way to inject a sense of depth and humanity into his character. It’s the kind of performance that makes you wish the film gave him more to do. He’s captivating every time he’s on screen.

Jack O’Connell, fresh off Sinners, is a welcome addition to the cast. His presence is intense and unpredictable. He plays off Fiennes well and manages to carve out a space for himself as one of the film’s more intriguing elements. There’s something genuinely unsettling about the way he portrays his character’s mental unraveling, and that edge makes him deeply watchable. You’re never quite sure what he’s going to do next, which in a film lacking narrative direction, adds a much-needed jolt of tension.

Alfie Williams returns as Spike, bringing a bit of continuity from the last film. His role this time is reduced but still appreciated. He grounds the madness with a more subdued presence and provides a thread of familiarity in a sequel that otherwise feels disconnected and chaotic.

It’s also worth noting that visually, the film is a huge step up from its predecessor. One of the major criticisms of 28 Years Later was the decision to shoot much of it on iPhones. The footage looked muddy, flat, and at times hard to even follow. It felt like an experiment gone wrong. That is absolutely not the case here. The cinematography in Bone Temple is polished and cinematic. Real cameras are back in use and the difference is night and day. Shots are framed with care. Lighting actually adds to the tone rather than washing it out. The environments, while grimy, have depth and atmosphere. It’s clear a real effort was made to make this film look and feel more premium, and that effort pays off.

The sound design and effects are also strong. Explosions rattle the room. Screams pierce through the action. The infected feel more threatening than ever, thanks in part to the way they are integrated into the environment and soundscape. You feel on edge because of how chaotic the audio mix is, and while it may not be subtle, it does create a visceral experience.

So what’s the problem? Simply put, there’s no heart. No narrative momentum. The film throws so much violence and destruction at the screen that it forgets to make us care. There’s no question this franchise has the potential to say something meaningful about survival, humanity, or grief. But Bone Temple doesn’t try. It just wants to be the loudest, bloodiest thing in the room. For some audiences, that might be enough. And judging by some of the surprisingly positive reviews this film has gotten, there’s definitely a crowd that’s enjoying the ride.

But personally, I walked away cold. I love gory films. I love horror. I love brutal, unflinching cinema when it’s earned and when it serves a purpose. Here, the gore is just noise. It’s constant. It’s desensitising. It never really lands because we’re never given a reason to care about what’s happening. And that’s the biggest letdown of all.

It’s frustrating too because the film isn’t lazy. It’s not poorly made. The technical aspects are far better than the last outing. The acting is genuinely phenomenal across the board. And you can feel that everyone involved wanted this to be something bold and intense. But in the rush to go big and brutal, they forgot to bring a script that says anything at all.

By the time the credits rolled, I felt drained but not satisfied. Not scared. Not moved. Just numb. And for a franchise that once felt fresh and dangerous, that’s a real shame. 28 Years Later: Bone Temple isn’t the worst film you’ll see this year. But it’s certainly one of the most disappointing if you were hoping for substance to match the spectacle.

At the end of the day, it’s not for me. I’m surprised to see the level of praise it’s getting elsewhere, but maybe this is just one of those films that hits differently depending on what you’re looking for. If you’re here for top-tier acting and some shock-horror thrills, you’ll probably have a decent time. But if you’re after a story that sticks with you, you’re better off revisiting the original 28 Days Later or just moving on.

I give 28 Years Later: Bone Temple a 5 out of 10. The talent is there. The look is there. But the soul is missing.