‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ Trailer Surprise-Drops, Rekindling Franchise Fears

LONDON, Sept. 3, 2025 - In an unexpected move early this morning, Paramount Pictures released the first full trailer for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the highly anticipated sequel to this year’s hit reboot of the 28 Days Later universe. The surprise drop has sent fans into a frenzy, offering haunting glimpses of new horrors and familiar faces.

The two-minute teaser opens on a desolate landscape, as a weary Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) confronts unspeakable atrocities conducted in the titular Bone Temple. His dialogue, laden with biblical imagery-“I open the door of heaven and hell”-echoes over shots of ritualistic gatherings and ravaged survivors, suggesting that humanity’s cruelty now eclipses even the Rage Virus as the true menace.

Notably absent on-screen is original lead Cillian Murphy, whose return was long rumored. Instead, the spotlight shifts to Spike (Alfie Williams) and his uneasy alliance with the enigmatic Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell). The trailer’s rapid cuts hint at a deeper lore: Kelson’s own backstory and the origins of the Bone Temple may be central to the plot, as survivor factions vie for control of this ominous stronghold.

Reviewed outlets praised the trailer’s atmospheric tension. Rolling Stone described the visuals as “ominous and relentlessly foreboding,” highlighting director Nia DaCosta’s deft blend of visceral horror and social commentary. Empire noted that Jimmy’s posse appears more organized and ruthless than ever, setting the stage for large-scale confrontations that could redefine the series’ moral compass.

Paramount confirmed that 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple will premiere in theaters on January 6, 2026. Ahead of its release, fans can expect additional teasers and character posters, but today’s unexpected trailer has already reignited excitement and speculation across social media.