Horrorx52: 2026
4/52

Wow, what an unexpected step up from 28 Years Later—which I enjoyed, don’t get me wrong, but this was fantastic. Gnarly, gruesome, and brilliantly executed—Alex Garland’s script and Nia Dacosta’s direction resulted in something truly outstanding. And in January?! I can hardly believe it.

The Bone Temple is all about clinging to humanity in a world without it, with a deliberate focus on the monstrous actions of man rather than the infected; specifically the Jimmy gang, led by Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell), who unknowingly modeled himself and his ‘fingers’ after infamous sex criminal and real-life demon Jimmy Savile. Jimmy Crystal’s understanding of the world was shaped by fear at a young age and thus bound to his misguided ideology—one that he forces on his followers and anyone else unlucky enough to cross their path.

While the Jimmy gang is busy forcing Spike accompany them while they dole out “charity” to any poor souls they encounter, Dr. Kelson is back at his Bone Temple busy breaking new ground in medical research! The bond Kelson forms with Sampson was so thought provoking and touching. Such a beautiful, intriguing relationship juxtaposed against the sheer brutality of the Jimmy cult.

The concept of the rage virus instigating psychiatric effects with visual and auditory hallucinatory symptoms is a brilliant approach and adds a very human element back into this world. It also makes things much darker knowing there is, in fact, still a consciousness buried underneath the darkness that has overtaken the infected’s body and mind. This is also a great metaphor for the loss of identity that can accompany severe illness which changes the affect of an individual, making them unlike how they previously were. Just brilliant storytelling, I was so into it.

I did go into 28 Years Later assuming a bone temple constructing, iodine-soaked Ralph Fiennes would be playing a villain, as he is apt to do, so it was a pleasure seeing what a marvelous character Dr. Ian Kelson ultimately turned out to be—I really fell in love with him in this film. It did make me giggle that in the final act, he couldn’t help but slip into the faux role of “dark lord.” On that note, the performance he put on as Old Nick was funny as hell and metal as fuck. That whole sequence was such a blast to behold!

As sad as I was to lose Kelson, seeing Jimmy Crystal crucified on that upside down cross was SO satisfying after enduring his brutal antics and unhinged ideology throughout the film. No notes. It goes without saying that everyone was acting their asses off, but Ralph Fiennes and Jack O'Connell really stole the show for me. Keep casting Jack O'Connell in villainous roles please!

And that final 2 minutes of the film? The perfect glimmer of hope to end on. I can’t wait for the 3rd installment!

#3: released in 2026