Spoilers Ahead for 28 Years Later
If the final act of 28 Years Later left you reeling, you’re not alone — but good news: the chaos is far from over. The second chapter in the 28 Years Later trilogy, titled The Bone Temple, is already on the way, with a confirmed release date of January 16, 2026.
Directed by Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels), this installment continues the apocalyptic saga from Danny Boyle and Alex Garland — but don’t worry, Boyle’s still involved and already eyeing the trilogy’s final act.
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Cillian Murphy Returns (Sort Of)
After more than two decades, Cillian Murphy is back as Jim — the bike courier who first woke up in a deserted, rage-ridden London in 28 Days Later. But don’t expect a lead role this time. Murphy’s return in The Bone Temple will be limited to what Boyle calls a “very satisfying introduction,” based on a rough cut he previewed. The details are tightly under wraps, but any return of Jim is sure to set fans buzzing.
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Enter Sir Lord Jimmy
If you thought the infected were the scariest part of this franchise, meet Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal — played by Jack O’Connell. Introduced at the end of 28 Years Later, Jimmy is a cultish maniac who evokes a twisted version of Jimmy Savile, decked out in tracksuits and surrounded by loyal “Jimmies.” O’Connell previously described his character as a “gas cunt” — and that may actually be putting it mildly.
Given the sequel’s subtitle and what we saw at the end of 28 Years Later, it’s likely the story will follow Jimmy, his cult, and Spike (Alfie Williams) as they venture deeper into Britain’s ruined landscape and the horrors left behind — including the ominous “bone temple,” a skeletal monument engineered by Ralph Fiennes’ eerie Dr. Ineson.
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“The Nature of Evil” at the Core
According to Boyle, The Bone Temple will explore “the nature of evil”, with DaCosta steering that dark vision. That thematic shift — from outbreak survival to psychological horror and cult dynamics — is expected to deepen the franchise’s lore and intensity.
DaCosta’s direction also brings a welcome change to the creative dynamic. “It’s quite a boys’ club,” Boyle admitted to IndieWire. “It was good to break that up. She knows what she wants, and she sticks to it.”
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Why Boyle Didn’t Direct This One
Boyle passed the directorial baton to DaCosta due to scheduling constraints. “We knew we had to shoot them back-to-back for financial reasons and actor reasons. I couldn’t do them both,” he explained. But Boyle plans to return for the third and final film — assuming box office performance keeps the franchise alive. Early reviews and numbers suggest they’ll have no trouble locking down that final chapter.
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Release Date
The Bone Temple hits cinemas on January 16, 2026. Get your hazmat suits and iodine ready — the infection is spreading, and this time, it’s not just viral. It’s cultish, grotesque, and deeply human.
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Stay tuned — because the road to the final chapter might just be the darkest yet.
