“Fear is the new faith.
Dr. Kelson finds himself in a shocking new relationship – with consequences that could change the world as they know it – and Spike’s encounter with Jimmy Crystal becomes a nightmare he can’t escape.” – Letterboxd Synopsis
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is one of the most ridiculous movies I’ve ever watched in my life, in the best way possible. Just thinking back on everything that transpired in this movie, the only word that I can think of is absurd. Absolutely absurd. A satanic cult run by a man-child that loves the Teletubbies? Dr Kelson befriending an Alpha? It is so hard to wrap my brain around how all of this just works and makes for such a fun, fantastic movie.
Fresh off the ending of the last movie, Spike is now brought into the Fingers. A tracksuit wearing cult, who are all named Jimmy, led by the wacky Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell) himself. The kid from the intro of the first movie who escaped and turned his fear into faith. Believing that these zombies, the outbreak. Are all part of Old Nick’s (Satan’s) plan. And that he is said son of Satan, whose purpose is to grow and shepherd his father’s army. He and his fingers are disturbing fanatics who rope poor Spike into their cult. Forcing him to kill and perform charity (disturbing rituals). Jack O’Connell does such an amazing job as Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal. He is so childishly scary but also funny and unfortunately charismatic. Easily one of my favorite villains ever. I loved every moment he was on screen and couldn’t wait to see how Spike would overcome him and this situation.
The B Plot is also very interesting and the main reason why I hope so badly that we get the final movie in this trilogy. The second Alpha that we got introduced to in the last movie (Samson) returns to stand off against Dr. Kelson. Once again, he immobilizes him. But he eventually notices something. The Alpha keeps coming back for the drug. Keeps wanting to be immobilized, and it turns into a weird, beautiful friendship in a way. That also has some crazy lore implications. Eventually, when these two plots collide, it creates one of my favorite final acts in anything ever. Back to that absurdity, but also the heartache that this series is great at delivering. Overall, I loved this movie’s story.
Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal and Dr. Kelson are the highlights of this movie. Above, I talked about the childish fanaticism and charm Jack O’Connell brings to the screen. Still, it really can’t be overstated just how much of a presence he brings to every scene. It’s that variable of unpredictability that comes with a character like this that brings a level of tension that makes you fear for everyone around him. Especially Spike. Even in his most vulnerable moments in this movie, there’s always that slight hesitation. I loved it. Along with the fact that he was hilarious in his own twisted way. Dr. Kelson’s world in this movie is just as wacky but very, very emotional and thought provoking. Every moment between him and Samson is so fascinating and heartbreaking. And I just seriously love this character’s outlook on life. I’ll never forget the things he said to Spike and Isla at the end of the last movie, and even at the end of this one, he had a line that, judging by the great acting from the characters he said it to, it hit them just as hard as it hit me. For my money, he is the best character in this franchise, easily.
Spike definitely takes a bit of a back seat in this movie. Which works. While the A plot does focus on his little conundrum of being abducted into this cult and forced to experience all of these gruesome things, it begs the question: how will he escape this? Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal just steals the show in all of those scenes. But it all does work. I think the characters that needed to shine for this story to be told were given the proper amount of story time. The other Jimmys, of course, have their moments, but it’s Red Tracksuit Jimmy that gets the most character development and story time, and I loved her arc and friendship with Spike. On the other side of the plot, Samson was great. The nonverbal acting, the arc that he goes through. In any other movie that didn’t have Jimmy Crystal in it, this shit would be the craziest thing. It just works so well. I never knew I would get emotionally attached to a juiced up zombie, but this franchise has proven it can do anything.
Visually this movie looks great. There weren’t any moments that dropped my jaw like in the last one, but consistently good visuals go a long way. Plus the action was fantastic, and the climax of the movie. That moment will live rent free in my head forever. It was spectacular to experience that, not knowing what was about to happen. Just fantastic.
So yeah, I loved this movie. It’s very crazy just how much all of the ridiculousness in this movie works so well. A testament to the writing and the earnestness within it. I don’t even like to put qualifiers before my praise for these movies. They are more than the zombie, horror, action, thriller genres that they fall under. Especially these past two. They are genuinely heartfelt, powerful movies, and two of my favorites ever. I need to see this trilogy get the ending it deserves. These past two films have delivered on everything this genre has to offer and then some. It would be a crime for it not to be finished.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple – 9/10
