28 Years Later - The Temple of Bones, everything we know about the sequel film

Nia DaCosta's vision and the future of the trilogy.

by Biagio Petronaci

06 January 2026 08:46

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With 28 Years Later – The Temple of Bones, the post-apocalyptic universe imagined by Alex Garland and Danny Boyle expands once again, pushing the saga inaugurated in 2002 into even darker and surprisingly intimate territories. At the helm is Nia DaCosta, tasked with building the second piece of the new trilogy, which began with 28 Years Later (2025), and addressing the unresolved questions it left behind. This work promises to further redefine the franchise's coordinates, deepening its mythology and the emotional tensions that run through it. Below, everything we know so far.

The plot
The cast
Will Cillian Murphy appear?
The release date
Who is the director?
The trailer
The poster

The plot of 28 Years Later - The Temple of Bones: what is it about?

The story picks up from the ruins of a United Kingdom now irrevocably scarred by decades of epidemics and institutional collapse. In this scenario, the so-called Temple of Bones takes shape, a place that has become almost legendary and associated with a bloody cult that has transformed the brutality of the virus into a new and distorted spiritual order.

At the center of the narrative is Spike, a young survivor who, after the events of the previous film, is dragged into the fierce world of the Jimmys: a community of acrobat-warriors led by the feared Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal, a magnetic and disturbing figure who has elevated violence to a religious dogma.

In parallel, Dr. Ian Kelson continues his mission to preserve the memory of the victims of the infection. His research, however, leads him to a secret capable of overturning the very understanding of the epidemic, opening glimmers of hope… or paving the way for a new, unpredictable threat.

28 Years Later – The Temple of Bones promises even darker and more ritualistic atmospheres, depicting a fragmented England, devastated by warring factions and a virus that seems to have taken an evolution beyond all predictions.

The cast of 28 Years Later - The Temple of Bones: actors and actresses

The sequel confirms a rich cast, intertwining important returns and new faces:

Ralph Fiennes: Dr. Ian Kelson, a doctor who tries to preserve the human legacy of the pre-virus world.
Jack O’Connell: Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal, psychopathic leader of the Jimmys, a central figure of the new threat.
Alfie Williams: Spike, a young survivor in search of identity and redemption.
Erin Kellyman: Jimmy Ink, a member of the cult.
Chi Lewis-Parry: Samson, an imposing leader among the infected, created as a key character for the entire trilogy.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson: Jamie, Spike's father and a solitary scavenger.
Emma Laird, Maura Bird, Ghazi Al Ruffai, Sam Locke: other members of the Jimmys community.

The film, shot consecutively with the previous chapter, maintains strong narrative and stylistic continuity.

Will Cillian Murphy appear in 28 Years Later - The Temple of Bones?

Yes, Cillian Murphy (also known for Peaky Blinders, Dunkirk, and Oppenheimer) officially returns as Jim, the protagonist of 28 Days Later. His return represents one of the most anticipated moments for fans and marks the first significant reintroduction of a historical character into the franchise after almost twenty-five years. A choice that harks back to the roots of the saga and promises to intertwine the new narrative cycle with the emotional memory of the film that redefined post-apocalyptic cinema in 2002.

When is 28 Years Later - The Temple of Bones released: release date

The theatrical release is scheduled for:

January 15, 2026 in Italy
January 16, 2026 in the United Kingdom and the United States

The film is distributed by Sony Pictures. A third part is already in development, but its final realization will depend on the success of The Temple of Bones.

The director of 28 Years Later – The Temple of Bones

The director of 28 Years Later – The Temple of Bones is Nia DaCosta, an American filmmaker who in recent years has established herself as one of the most promising voices in contemporary horror and science fiction. After gaining recognition with her 2021 film Candyman and testing her vision within major Hollywood franchises, DaCosta takes on the legacy of the saga inaugurated by Danny Boyle, bringing with her a personal and recognizable imprint: a more visceral, symbolic direction attentive to rituals, group dynamics, and the psychological fragility of survivors.

Her involvement promises to push the franchise towards an even darker and more layered dimension, capable of combining spectacle and emotional tension.

The trailer for 28 Years Later - The Temple of Bones

The first trailer was released on September 3, 2025.

A second trailer, more narrative and rich in action sequences, arrived on December 3, 2025, anticipating Samson's central role and hinting at the mysterious Temple that gives the film its name.