There’s One Thing 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Did That I Can’t Stop Thinking About

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It’s been a week since the movie 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple was announced, and I keep thinking about something particularly clever. It’s not the wildest scene, or even what happens to Samson after he appears to be healed. What really stands out is how the film immerses you in a world where time essentially froze decades ago, and you almost don’t notice until a small detail subtly reminds you.

One of the things I really enjoyed about 28 Years Later, which was one of the best films last year, was a particular idea that director Nia DaCosta and writer Alex Garland built on and improved in the sequel. It deeply enriches the story, the characters’ development, and what drives them, especially for a character who’s struggling to let go of the past and the world he knew before.

There Were Multiple Times Where We’re Reminded That The World Stopped In 2002

While most of the world has moved on to the 2030s (as shown in 28 Days Later), people trapped in the United Kingdom are still living as if it’s 2002. This makes their situation even more unsettling and tragic.

It’s true that Sir Jimmy Cloud’s (Jack O’Connell) group’s costumes – inspired by Jimmy Savile – and their fondness for Teletubbies, along with Dr. Ian Kelson’s (Ralph Fiennes) extensive vinyl collection, feel a bit out of touch. But these characters haven’t really moved on since the Rage virus outbreak in 2002, and their interests reflect that frozen moment in time.

What drives people to keep these old objects? Is it simply familiarity? Do these items represent cherished memories of the past? Perhaps they offer comfort and a way to deal with the difficulties of their present lives – the isolation, hardship, and unpredictability. It’s a really interesting thing to consider.

Now I Can’t Stop Thinking About How Radiohead’s Kid A Fits Into This

The soundtrack to 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is full of fantastic music choices, and everyone will likely have a different favorite. While I particularly enjoyed the wild scene with Iron Maiden’s “The Number of the Beast” and the memorable moments created by the Duran Duran songs, I think Radiohead’s “Everything in Its Right Place” best captures the feeling of time standing still for the characters in the movie.

The song appears during a moving scene in the film, highlighting the surprising bond between Kelson and Samson. It’s the first track on Radiohead’s critically acclaimed 2000 album, Kid A, which is a deeply personal and beautifully-sounding work. Interestingly, even now, Kelson might consider Kid A a relatively new release, as it came out in November 2000—less than two years after his life fell apart.

Since seeing that scene, I keep wondering if the doctor enjoyed the band Radiohead. Did he listen to their song “Everything in Its Right Place” to unwind after work, back when he had a different life and different relationships? I believe including that song isn’t just about emphasizing the idea of time standing still, but also elevates the quality of the film, The Bone Temple.

It’s unclear what the future holds for the 28 Years Later series, but I’m excited to see where a third movie takes the concept of time stopping. On a lighter note, I’d also love to see a scene revisiting Dr. Kelson’s vinyl collection – I’m curious if he owned Radiohead’s Amnesiac.

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2026-01-22 16:11