The trailer for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the fourth instalment in the 28 Days Later franchise, sets a chilling and eccentric tone for Nia DaCosta’s directorial take on this post-apocalyptic horror sequel. Dropping on September 3, 2025, the trailer is a haunting mood-setter that leans heavily into atmosphere over explicit plot details, offering just enough to intrigue fans while keeping the mystery intact.
From the outset, the trailer’s visuals are striking, with the titular Bone Temple—a grotesque monument of skulls and bones—standing as a grim centerpiece in a desolate British landscape. This unsettling imagery, paired with the eerie 1915 recording of Rudyard Kipling’s poem “Boots” used in the preceding 28 Years Later trailer, amplifies the sense of dread and decay. The trailer hints at a deeper exploration of Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), whose eccentric relationship with the Alpha infected, Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry), promises a bizarre dynamic that could redefine the franchise’s approach to its infected. DaCosta’s tease of a “weird, deranged cousin” to its predecessor suggests a film that embraces the unhinged, blending visceral horror with psychological depth.
The trailer also introduces Spike (Alfie Williams) entangled with the cult of Sir Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell), whose blonde-haired, velour-suited followers add a layer of surreal menace. O’Connell’s performance is teased as a standout, with reports from test screenings praising his “villain performance of the year,” hinting at a charismatic yet terrifying presence. The cult’s collision course with Dr. Kelson and Samson suggests a narrative where human inhumanity overshadows the infected threat, a theme DaCosta emphasizes by questioning who truly does “worse things” in this ravaged world.
While the trailer avoids revealing Cillian Murphy’s return as Jim, it builds anticipation for his brief appearance, setting up a larger role in the trilogy’s potential finale. The lack of explicit plot details is a strength, preserving the enigma while showcasing DaCosta’s distinct vision—described as “bonkers” and “off-the-wall.” However, this ambiguity might frustrate viewers craving more concrete hints about the story, especially after 28 Years Later’s polarizing reception for its uneven pacing and narrative setup.
The trailer’s pacing is deliberate, favoring haunting visuals and a creeping sense of unease over the frenetic zombie action of the original films. Fans expecting a return to the relentless gore of 28 Days Later might find the shift toward folk-horror and cult dynamics jarring, but it aligns with DaCosta’s promise of a personal, idiosyncratic film. The lush yet decayed cinematography, shot on location, expands the franchise’s dystopian world, hinting at new mutations of the Rage Virus and its impact on survivors.
Overall, the trailer for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is a captivating tease that balances the franchise’s horror roots with a bold, unsettling evolution. It promises a film that’s as much about humanity’s descent into madness as it is about surviving the infected, leaving viewers eager for its January 16, 2026, release. While it may not satisfy those seeking a straightforward zombie flick, it sets the stage for a provocative, visually arresting chapter that could redefine the series.
