The hotly anticipated sequel to Danny Boyle‘s 28 Years Later held its first screenings, and the initial reactions on social media to 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple suggest the film is a worthy (and weirder) follow-up.
While official critics reviews for Bone Temple are embargoed till closer to the film’s Jan. 16 release date, Columbia Pictures allowed press in the U.S. and U.K. to release social media reactions to press screenings on Tuesday night.
From a trailer released last week, the action in Bone Temple picks up the action after the events of 28 Years Later. Focusing on the human survivors of the Rage Virus in the North East of England, Bone Temple seems to focus on the dual narratives of Dr. Ian Kelson seeking a cure for the virus and Spike becoming part of Sir Jimmy Crystal’s murderous gang.
The film’s cast includes Ralph Fiennes as Kelson, Jack O’Connell as Sir Jimmy Crystal and Alfie Williams as Spike. Erin Kellyman, Emma Laird, Chi Lewis-Parry, Maura Bird, Sam Locke and Ghazi Al Ruffai are also in the confirmed cast, but there may be surprise inclusions.
Hedda and Candyman filmmaker Nia DaCosta takes over directing duties from Boyle on Bone Temple, the middle film in a new trilogy in the genre-defining 28 Days Later zombie franchise. DaCosta teased some details about her entry in the franchise at the Edinburgh Film Festival this year, and revealed that The Zone of Interest filmmaker Jonathan Glazer convinced her to take on the project.
Released in June, 28 Years Later was a huge hit with critics, scoring a 89 percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film made over $150 million at the box office on a $60 million budget. Boyle and 28 Days Later writer Alex Garland produced Bone Temple, with Garland also penning the script for the film. Boyle is set to direct the third film to close the latest trilogy of films.
Bone Temple releases in theaters on Jan. 16, 2026.
See a selection of the social media reaction to 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple below.