Danny Boyle reveals hidden detail about 28 Years Later’s unhinged ending

28 Years Later’s concluding moment holds a surprise even greater than the Rage Virus, and it seems that director Danny Boyle has hinted at this twist earlier in the film – a detail subtly foreshadowed in the latest movie.

28 Days Later is widely regarded as one of the greatest zombie films ever made, boasting an impressive soundtrack, outstanding acting, particularly from Cillian Murphy, and a chilling level of terror, with its fast-moving zombies providing a more intense experience compared to slower counterparts.

However, with Boyle resuming his directorial role and Alex Garland penning the script once more, “28 Years Later” proves to be an impressive follow-up. It delves into a bleak portrayal of the UK, where mankind is isolated from external contact, and the infected have advanced in their mutation.

The recently released film marks the beginning of a three-part series, titled “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,” and its concluding moments subtly lay the groundwork for the subsequent installment. Trust me, you won’t anticipate what’s next. Please note that the following discussion may contain spoilers!

Danny Boyle explains Jimmy from 28 Years Later ending

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by MT Management (@modelteamscotland)

Boyle highlights that when Spike (Alfie Williams) encounters Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell), it’s not their first on-screen meeting, as Crystal’s character represents the grown-up version of the child from the opening scene whose family was tragically killed by zombies.

Initially, there are some hints. The first clue is the character’s name – Jimmy. While watching Teletubbies, his house gets attacked by the infected. His mother shouts his name and orders him to flee. He eventually seeks refuge at the church where he encounters his priest father who appears to be accepting the onset of an apocalypse.

Prior to surrendering to the undead beings he affectionately refers to as his “offspring”, he passes on his inverted-cross pendant necklace (which Jimmy receives) – a piece of jewelry that Spike recognizes on O’Connell’s character.

An additional hint, albeit more discreet, is present. Similar to his father, he tends towards charismatic leadership reminiscent of cults, yet rather than delivering religious sermons, he guides a group of martial arts-skilled survivors who dress up as the late Jimmy Savile, a pedophile. Indeed, that’s accurate.

Moreover, what makes it even more peculiar is the use of a metallic rendition of the Teletubbies theme tune for their kill montage. Frankly, it’s as bizarre as it seems, and could potentially rank among the top horror movie conclusions this year.

According to Boyle, the underlying significance is far more profound and serves as the primary motif for “28 Years Later,” as he crafts The Bone Temple.

In an interview with The Independent, it was stated that Jack O’Connell’s character and his family serve as a substitute for the one he initially lost in the movie. Their purpose is essentially to re-introduce malice into an atmosphere that has developed into a nurturing, empathetic environment.

I queried Alex Garland initially, asking him to briefly explain the themes of each movie. He responded that the primary theme of the initial film revolves around family.

In the sequel, the central theme revolves around the concept of evil. You’re going to encounter many more instances of this when it becomes fitting to discuss them further in the second film. As for The Bone Temple, Jimmy will be a key character, while Jim, portrayed by Cillian Murphy, is also set to reappear.

“Observe, he approaches with clouds.” – JIMMY
’28 YEARS LATER PART 2: THE BONE TEMPLE’ promises to be one of the scariest horror films ever made. I can hardly wait for January to arrive.
— 𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚒 | 𝙱𝙸𝙾𝙷𝙰𝚉𝙰𝚁𝙳 𝙷𝙾𝚁𝚁𝙾𝚁 🧪 (@BIOHAZARDHorror) June 22, 2025

As a dedicated fan, it’s evident that Jimmy’s influence extends far and wide throughout the movie. The unlucky man abandoned in the contaminated area? His torso bears the unmistakable mark “Jimmy.” Even more intriguingly, his name is tagged on the side of a nearby house.

When you think about Savile being labeled as the UK’s most prolific sexual predator, it adds an even greater sense of horror to the cult. In fact, some viewers are only now beginning to understand his true identity.

In a post on X/Twitter, someone stated: “After all that unfolded in 28 Years Later, it took me three days to comprehend that Jimmy was the sole survivor of the Teletubbies tragedy.

As a gaming enthusiast, I recently discovered an interesting fact about the movie “28 Days Later”: The guy portraying Jimmy during the opening five minutes is the exact same actor as the one who appears at the end, after twenty-eight years have passed. Isn’t that fascinating?

28 Years After has hit theaters! Discover more about the Alpha zombies, the significance of its title, and how to catch up with 28 Days Later, all in a simple read!

2025-06-23 17:18

Danny Boyle explains Jimmy from 28 Years Later ending

Read More