28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Debuts With the Franchise’s Best Rotten Tomatoes Score

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The latest installment in the zombie series has achieved the highest Rotten Tomatoes score of any film in the franchise. 28 Years Later, released last year, began a new three-part story.

Critics are already praising 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple before it hits theaters! The film opens in the UK on January 14th and in North America on January 16th, and currently has a 94% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 96 reviews from verified critics.

Looking at critic scores, the original 28 Days Later currently has an 87% “Certified Fresh” rating based on 240 reviews. The newest film, 28 Years Later (released in 2025), scores slightly higher with 89% “Certified Fresh” based on 395 reviews. The lowest-rated movie in the series is 28 Weeks Later from 2007, which holds a 73% “Fresh” rating after 200 reviews.

Building directly on the story of 28 Years Later, The Bone Temple ramps up the violence and suspense. The film is skillfully directed by Nia DaCosta, and features excellent performances from Ralph Fiennes and Jack O’Connell.

The review praises the performances, as well as the storylines, and the direction.

The cast of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple includes Alfie Williams as the adventurous Spike, Jack O’Connell as the cult leader Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal, and Chi Lewis-Parry as the formidable infected leader, Samson. Doctor Ian Kelson is portrayed by original outbreak survivor, and actor, Alfie Williams. Cillian Murphy reprises his role as Jim from 28 Days Later.

Back in October 2025, Murphy shared that while he couldn’t reveal much, he thought Nia DaCosta’s film was fantastic and a great pairing with Danny Boyle’s movie. He mentioned he only had a small role, but was very proud to be a part of it.

Nia DaCosta directed 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, written by Alex Garland, and a sequel is already in the works. Danny Boyle will return to direct the next film. While details are scarce, it’s highly likely that the story will continue to explore how the Rage Virus changes people’s perceptions, building on the themes established by Kelson’s work.

What Is 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple All About?

The new film, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, picks up the story shortly after the previous movie. This time, the focus shifts from Alfie Williams’ character to Dr. Ian Kelson, played by Ralph Fiennes, who has spent years studying and living among those infected. This film is the second in a planned trilogy from the creators of 28 Days Later and 28 Years Later.

Fiennes described a pivotal scene involving childbirth, highlighting its themes of humanity and the intense experience for both mother and child. He emphasized the power of the moment, particularly when a mother carries an infection but delivers a healthy baby – a truly profound human experience.

Fiennes went on to discuss the idea of what remains of a person’s basic humanity when they’re infected. Does a part of them – their soul, heart, or mind – still exist? Are they totally lost to the infection, reduced to just animalistic rage? Or is there a chance, even a small one, that something fundamentally human persists within them?

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple opens in theaters on Jan. 16.

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2026-01-14 17:37