Nearly a quarter-century after Cillian Murphy first portrayed Jim, a bicycle courier who wakes from a coma to find Britain devastated by the Rage virus, the actor is making a thrilling comeback in the latest installment, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Directed by Danny Boyle, who also helmed the original 28 Days Later, this sequel follows the story of Spike, an islander raised on the guarded Lindisfarne, and introduces a charismatic cult leader named Jimmy Crystal, portrayed by Jack O’Connell. Murphy’s reappearance promises to be a significant and unexpected highlight of the film.
Producer Danny Boyle spoke excitedly about Murphy’s return, cautioning viewers not to leave before the film’s end. Boyle remarked,
“If you turn up for the movie, don’t leave before the end! [laughs]. It’s a really special moment actually, and I won’t say why because… but you should certainly see it. It’s well worth seeing for that alone, really. When you see the end of the second film, and if you like this work, you’ll kind of get a glimpse [to] think, ‘Ohhh I see where this is gonna go…’ and that’s a pleasure, really, in a way. It’s weird because a horror movie should usually end with something horrific and it ends with something delightful. It makes you want to see the next film, hopefully.”
Boyle’s words emphasize the surprising and hopeful tone that Murphy’s return brings to this continuing story.
Recap: Jim’s Fate in 28 Days Later and the Mystery Ahead
The original 28 Days Later concludes ambiguously, with Jim escaping from the ruthless military group led by Major Henry West, played by Christopher Eccleston, alongside survivors Selena (Naomie Harris) and Hannah (Megan Burns). After retreating to a countryside cottage, the film ends with them signaling an RAF jet, leaving viewers uncertain about their ultimate fate. It remains unclear how The Bone Temple will reconnect with Jim’s storyline—whether he has continued to survive in isolation or reunited with past companions before crossing paths with Spike in a dire situation.
The movie’s director, Nia DaCosta, described working with Murphy as an incredible experience, highlighting the deep personal impact the original film had on her. She stated,
“So. F******. Surreal. I used to watch this man in a movie that was so important to me. And now he’s here in front of me, and I’m directing him. And he’s asking me what I thought of a take. And he just won an Oscar? What the hell’s going on? I just thought [28 Days Later] was the best thing I’d ever seen. I watched it over and over again. I was so obsessed with being in that world, with those characters — having a big old crush on Cillian Murphy, wanting to be Naomie Harris.”
The Bone Temple: Plot and Key Characters
Set years after the initial outbreak, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple centers on Spike, a young man who has lived his whole life apart from the mainland, protected on Lindisfarne Island. His encounter with Jimmy Crystal, a magnetic and perilous cult figure, drives much of the drama. The Bone Temple crafts a tense atmosphere of isolation and danger, while preparing the ground for Jim’s pivotal role in the story’s progression.
Alfie Williams stars as Spike, delivering a performance that captures vulnerability and resilience, while Jack O’Connell’s portrayal of Jimmy Crystal adds a disturbing yet captivating dynamic. Their interactions bring a new dimension to the 28 Years Later narrative, expanding beyond the virus’s effects to explore human nature under extreme circumstances.
Looking Ahead: The Future of the 28 Years Later Saga
Following strong early reactions to The Bone Temple, Sony Pictures Entertainment has approved a further sequel that promises to conclude the 28 Years Later trilogy on an impactful note. With Alex Garland returning as screenwriter, anticipation is high for a closing chapter that can satisfy fans and complete the saga’s evolution. Shooting is hoped to begin later this year, building on the momentum created by Murphy’s anticipated return.
Cillian Murphy’s revival as Jim not only reconnects the trilogy’s threads but also injects renewed energy and hope into a story traditionally marked by horror and despair. As the franchise moves toward its final act, audiences can expect a blend of intensity and emotional depth that reflects both the past and future of this gripping post-apocalyptic world.
Producer Danny Boyle discusses Cillian Murphy’s return to the ‘28 Days Later’ franchise and teases how #28YearsLater: The Bone Temple sets up the next movie: “If you turn up for the movie [Bone Temple], don’t leave before the end. It’s a really special moment” pic.twitter.com/JGxmwTOs3h
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) January 13, 2026
