Sony Pictures has released the official trailer for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the next installment in the long-running post-apocalyptic horror series. Directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland, the film expands upon the bleak world established by Danny Boyle and Garland while introducing darker twists on themes of survival.
The story centers on Dr. Ian Kelson, played by Ralph Fiennes, whose unexpected relationship sets off consequences with global stakes. Meanwhile, Spike (Alfie Williams) becomes entangled with cult leader Jimmy Crystal, portrayed by Jack O’Connell, in a psychological conflict that threatens to surpass even the horrors of the infected. The trailer emphasizes that the greatest menace may no longer be the virus itself, but the cruelty of humanity.
The cast includes Fiennes, Williams, O’Connell, Erin Kellyman, and Chi Lewis-Parry. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Emma Laird also appear, with Cillian Murphy reprising his role as Jim from the original 28 Days Later, marking a rare return to the character more than two decades later. The film is produced by Andrew Macdonald, Peter Rice, Bernard Bellew, Danny Boyle, and Alex Garland, with Murphy serving as executive producer.
The Bone Temple was filmed back-to-back with 28 Years Later (2025) and will serve as the fourth film in the franchise. It continues Sony’s commitment to a planned trilogy, with Garland confirmed as screenwriter for all three entries. Danny Boyle is set to return to the director’s chair for the final installment.
Production of The Bone Temple began following a 2024 development push, with DaCosta taking over directorial duties from Boyle. The project was first uncovered through copyright filings listing the subtitle The Bone Temple, and in December 2024, Aaron Taylor-Johnson suggested in interviews that both films were shot consecutively.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is scheduled to release on January 16, 2026, via Sony Pictures Releasing. A direct sequel is already in development, ensuring the survival-horror series will continue into the next decade.
