28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026)

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Michael and Dave dissect 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the most visually ambitious and thematically rich installment in the iconic 28 Days Later franchise. They explore the film's eerie cult narrative, psychological undercurrents, and the shifting horror dynamics that turn humans into the real monsters. With Nia DaCosta in the director's chair and Alex Garland returning as writer, the film blends horror, satire, and surprising moments of hope. A rich conversation for fans of speculative horror and social allegory.

• Director: Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels, Little Woods)

• Writer: Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation, Men, 28 Days Later)

• Cinematographer: Sean Bobbitt (12 Years a Slave, Widows, Hunger)

• Key Cast:

  • Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Ian Kelson – a monument builder and reluctant scientist

  • Alfie Williams as Spike – a returning survivor struggling with identity

  • Jack O'Connell as Jimmy Crystal – the chilling, charismatic cult leader

  • Chai Lewis-Perry as Samson – a towering infected in the midst of transformation

• The Jimmies as Symbol & Horror:
  The gang discusses how the Jimmies reflect societal decay, inspired by the real-life figure of Jimmy Savile. Their cultish behavior and unflinching cruelty mirror deeper fears about manipulation, lost innocence, and the rot at the core of community leadership.

• Samson's Redemption Arc:
  A standout element of the film, Samson's transformation from infected monster to near-human symbolizes the potential for recovery even in corrupted bodies and minds. His scenes with Dr. Kelson evoke tenderness, contrast with the Jimmies' savagery, and challenge the notion of what makes someone "monstrous."

• Human Evil vs. Infected Violence:
  The conversation explores how the infected, though dangerous, follow instinct—while the Jimmies choose cruelty. This blurs the line between traditional "monster" narratives and moral horror, echoing themes from Lord of the Flies and The Road.

• Visual Juxtaposition of Horror and Beauty:
  Bone temples, lush landscapes, and surreal moments (like cloud-gazing while high) create a strange harmony. These sequences ask whether beauty can exist in a world of collapse and whether healing is possible amid trauma.

• Cultural Legacy & Genre Evolution:
  Dave and Michael reflect on how the 28 franchise redefined the zombie genre, and how Bone Temple may mark a new phase—one that values emotional depth and psychological horror as much as jump scares.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Films: Candyman (2021), Widows, Red Dragon, Gangs of London, Deluge (1933)

• Cultural Figures: Jimmy Savile, Mr. Rogers

• Literary/Genre References: Lord of the Flies, The Walking Dead, Mad Max, Godzilla

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