Important context you need to know before watching 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

Need to know

The latest instalment in the beloved apocalyptic horror franchise 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is released on January 14 in the UK, and January 16 in the USA. It picks up after the previous film, 28 Years Later

Everything you need to know before watching 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is part of the famous franchise but feels like more of a sequel to the 2025 blockbuster. For that reason, you should know a little about the previous film before watching this one. With that being said, here’s the all important context you need to know…

1. This film was shot back to back with the previous instalment, 28 Years Later, which was released in 2025 and fronted by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes and newcomer Alfie Williams. The latter two will reprise their roles in The Bone Temple.
2. 28 Years Later focused on Williams’ character, Spike, a young boy living in an isolated, post-apocalyptic world with his parents. The British isles have been placed under indefinite quarantine after the outbreak of the so-called Rage Virus, which turns people into mindless, aggressive killers.
3. Spike and his family live among a community on Lindisfarne, an island which is naturally defended from the rest of Great Britain by a causeway which floods with the tide. As part of a coming-of-age rite of passage, Spike is led inland with his father, Jamie (Taylor-Johnson) to kill an infected but they end up stranded by a group who are led by an ‘Alpha’, a stronger and more intelligent “infected”.
4. When they make their way home, Spike is disappointed when his father embellishes their exploits. Upon later discovering his father is having an affair, he takes off with his sick mother Isla (Comer) to track down an eccentric GP living in the wilderness (Fiennes).
5. Unfortunately, Dr Kelson deduces Isla is suffering from incurable brain cancer – and she wishes to be euthanised. Spike remains disillusioned and isn’t ready to go home, choosing to stay on the mainland where he encounters a gang – styled after Jimmy Savile – who manages to creatively kill an infected.
6. The new film also stars Jack O’Connell – playing gang leader Jimmy in the final scenes of 28 Years Later – as well as Erin Kellyman and Chi Lewis-Parry. Cillian Murphy is returning to his role as Jim from the first film, 28 Days Later, which was released in 2002.

READ MORE: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple trailer’s chilling voiceover and where it’s from