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28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026)


28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) continues the infected saga with a story that is strange enough to stay engaging and familiar enough for longtime fans to settle back in. If you have followed the previous films, there is enough connective tissue here to keep your interest, even when the execution falters. The film leans into cult imagery and bleak world building, which works more often than not, even if the pacing and presentation are uneven.

Nia DaCosta, who previously directed Candyman (2021) and The Marvels, shows some recurring issues with camera direction and dialogue-heavy scenes. Several shots are awkwardly staged, and conversations often lack visual energy. That said, the overall Alex Garland's story structure is solid and appropriately weird for this universe, suggesting stronger material than her technical choices allow to shine.

Jack O’Connell, known for Unbroken and Sinners, plays the satanist cult leader and walks a fine line between overacting and controlled insanity. His performance is intense and uncomfortable, which suits the role, and while he occasionally pushes too far, he remains memorable and threatening throughout.

Erin Kellyman, recognizable from Solo: A Star Wars Story and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, plays one of the central cult members. She does a competent job and shows some growth compared to her earlier work. The performance works within the film but never fully elevates the character beyond what is on the page. She's Hollywood's dream child actress and expect to see her more despite her earlier failures. 

Alfie Williams returns and continues to be one of the emotional anchors of the series. His grounded performance adds sincerity to a film that could easily drift into excess. He brings a natural presence that helps balance the more extreme elements of the story.

Ralph Fiennes, known for Schindler’s List and Harry Potter, also returns and delivers exactly what you would expect. His performance is steady, restrained, and authoritative, lending weight to the film and helping ground the more bizarre narrative turns.

Overall, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is an improvement over the previous entry, though not by a wide margin. Strong performances from returning cast members help stabilize a film that struggles with direction and presentation. Fans of the franchise will likely find enough here to enjoy, even if it never fully lives up to its potential. Result: B-

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