Nia DaCosta Directs ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ Where Humanity Becomes the Threat [TRAILER]

Sony Pictures has unveiled the first trailer for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta. The film is a direct continuation of this summer’s 28 Years Later and is set to hit theaters on January 16, 2026.

The sequel returns audiences to the infected British Isles, where survival is no longer just about outrunning the virus. The Bone Temple shifts the focus toward the brutality of humanity itself, suggesting that survivors may prove more dangerous than the infected.

At the center of the story is Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), whose journey began in 28 Years Later. Kelson has built a strange memorial made of bones to honor those lost since the outbreak. His path intersects with young Spike (Alfie Williams) and the deranged Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell), creating a tangled web of alliances and threats. The sequel also features Erin Kellyman and Chi Lewis-Parry, the latter reprising his role as the fearsome zombie Samson.

Returning Legends and New Faces

While Ralph Fiennes anchors the cast, the film also teases the long-awaited return of Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy as Jim, marking his first appearance in the franchise since 2002’s 28 Days Later. Murphy is confirmed as an executive producer, with Danny Boyle and Alex Garland also back as producers, Garland once again handling screenplay duties.

DaCosta’s film expands on Boyle’s vision from the previous entry, pushing the narrative into darker and more unpredictable territory. Spike’s arc forces him to navigate between Jimmy’s ruthless gang and Kelson’s eerie world of rituals and survival.

Themes and Direction

The Bone Temple is positioned as both a horror spectacle and an exploration of humanity’s limits. As the infected become a background threat, the film leans into questions of morality, cruelty, and survival instincts. DaCosta and the creative team promise a film that balances shocking violence with thought-provoking themes.

Release and What’s Next

The decision to release a sequel just six months after its predecessor is rare in today’s industry, making The Bone Temple one of the fastest follow-ups in recent memory. The film is expected to set the stage for a trilogy closer in which Murphy’s Jim will take on an even larger role.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple arrives in theaters on January 16, 2026, continuing one of modern horror’s most enduring sagas.