When 28 Years Later shocked audiences with its unsettling finale, expectations for its follow-up were already sky-high. With The Bone Temple, director Nia DaCosta and her cast knew they had to push the franchise even further — creatively, emotionally, and tonally. One particular scene, however, nearly crossed into terrifying territory for DaCosta herself.
The moment in question involves Ralph Fiennes, delivering an unhinged, fever-dream performance set to Iron Maiden’s Number of the Beast. The sequence is bold, surreal, and deliberately reckless — exactly the kind of swing that could either elevate the film or derail it entirely.
“That’s the thing everyone read in the script and thought, ‘Well, that could be really bad. It could be cool. It could be really bad,’” DaCosta tells Yahoo UK. “And I read that, and I thought, ‘Oof, that’s going to be the end of my career!’”
A Scene That Could Have Gone Either Way
Despite her initial fear, DaCosta leaned into collaboration. Surrounded by what she calls “the best collaborators, the best crew, the best cast,” the risky sequence ultimately became one of the film’s most talked-about moments.
“But then we figured it out,” she says. “And it was fantastic.”
For Fiennes, who plays Dr Kelson — a man masquerading as the devil in the scene — the opportunity was irresistible. Known for his cerebral and restrained performances, the actor relished the chance to abandon control entirely.
“I loved it! No one’s asked me to do that stuff,” Fiennes says. “The last time I did anything close was in A Bigger Splash, where I danced to Emotional Rescue. But this is on another level of craziness.”
He adds that the role allowed him to break free from expectations. “I’m often asked to play more thinky parts. This was different. And I loved it.”
A Performance That Shocked Even the Cast
The intensity of Fiennes’ performance left a strong impression on his co-stars — including Erin Kellyman, who plays Jimmima, one of Sir Jimmy Crystal’s followers.
“I just thought it was amazing to watch,” Kellyman says. “Ralph’s stamina — physically and emotionally — it’s impeccable. I think our reactions in the film are probably just real.”
The Bone Temple doesn’t rely solely on shock, however. Instead, it shifts the franchise’s tone in an unexpected direction.
Reframing the Meaning of “Monster”
Unlike its predecessor, The Bone Temple asks a quieter, more unsettling question: what if the infection could be reversed — and what would that cost?
Dr Kelson’s relationship with the Alpha Infected, Samson — played by Chi Lewis-Parry — brings a surprising gentleness to a series known for chaos and brutality.
“It was the best direction Samson could have gone,” Lewis-Parry explains. “Being physical and doing the expected stuff is great. But finding the person behind the monster was the real challenge — and I loved every moment of it.”
He credits Fiennes as both a scene partner and a creative influence. “There’s only one scene partner, and it’s Ralph. I’m kind of spoiled now.”
A New Vision for a Familiar World
Although the script was written by Alex Garland, DaCosta was encouraged to fully embrace her own interpretation of the world originally created by Garland and Danny Boyle.
“I came in and said, ‘This is what I see. This is how I want to do it,’” she recalls. “And they said, ‘Go for it.’”
Fiennes praises her restraint behind the camera. “She allows scenes to play out. She doesn’t rush them,” he says. “There’s still kinetic action, but there’s also stillness — and I liked that.”
The True Villain Emerges
While the infected remain dangerous, The Bone Temple ultimately points to a different kind of threat. According to the cast, the real monster may be Sir Jimmy Crystal, played by Jack O’Connell.
Fiennes calls him “an absolutely brilliant actor,” while Lewis-Parry describes O’Connell as “someone who really commits when he becomes the character.”
DaCosta agrees. “He’s generous, specific, and deeply invested. If something felt off, we talked it through. He’s just a joy to work with.”
Kellyman adds that his unpredictability made every scene electric. “There were moments where he really tried to freak me out,” she says. “And it worked.”
The Return Fans Have Been Waiting For
As if that weren’t enough, the film delivers another surprise: the return of Cillian Murphy as Jim — a role that launched his career in 28 Days Later.
“It was wonderful,” DaCosta says. “He’s low-key, no ego, and then he steps in front of the camera and suddenly you’re like, ‘Whoa — movie star.’”
Murphy is also confirmed to return for a now-greenlit third installment, leaving the cast eager — but tight-lipped — about what comes next.
A Franchise Willing to Take Risks
If The Bone Temple proves anything, it’s that 28 Years Later isn’t interested in playing it safe. Between bold performances, philosophical shifts, and a willingness to challenge genre expectations, the sequel expands the franchise in unexpected ways.
And while DaCosta once feared that one scene might end her career, it now stands as proof that creative risk — when handled with intention — can redefine a legacy.
Conclusion
With The Bone Temple, 28 Years Later proves it is more than a survival-horror franchise — it is a bold, evolving exploration of humanity, power, and moral decay. By embracing creative risk, emotional stillness, and complex character work, the film pushes the series into deeper territory.
What once felt like a potential misstep has become one of its defining strengths, leaving audiences unsettled, surprised, and eager to see where this daring world goes next.
