Why the Massively Hung Zombie Wears Clothes in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

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Spoilers ahead for the plot and ending of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.

It wasn’t shocking that 28 Years Later, the sequel to 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, wasn’t the typical zombie movie or franchise follow-up fans might have anticipated. Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland rarely deliver predictable films, especially when working together. They filled 28 Years Later with meaningful ideas and striking visuals, making it a film more focused on dealing with loss than simply surviving the infected. However, for many viewers, these ambitious themes were overshadowed by something else entirely: the prominently displayed physique of the character Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry).

The trailer for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple immediately sparked conversation about Samson’s new appearance – he’s now wearing a loincloth! Many wondered why the character, previously known for being unclothed, was now covered up. Was it due to discomfort, a reaction to the nudity in the first film, or a directorial decision by Nia DaCosta to avoid distracting the audience? Surprisingly, the loincloth isn’t about modesty. It’s actually a key part of Samson’s character arc in The Bone Temple. His changing state of dress—or undress—actually reflects his emotional and developmental journey throughout the film. Keep an eye on that detail, and you’ll get a surprising insight into his character.

Beyond his frightening appearance, Samson has a much bigger part to play in this new movie compared to the first 28 Years Later. In the previous film, he mostly appeared to scare Spike and Dr. Ian Kelson, and was known for his brutal attacks. However, in The Bone Temple, an unlikely connection forms between Samson and Kelson. Kelson figures out how to calm Samson down with drugs, building on his previous use of tranquilizer darts. Now, Kelson tries to communicate with Samson, assuring him he means no harm, and even hopes to get him to speak again. While Kelson’s actions could be seen as a lonely attempt to make a friend, he’s also conducting an experiment to understand the ‘rage virus’ and its effect on infected individuals. He wants to discover if the virus simply obscures Samson’s mind, meaning his memories and basic humanity might still be present underneath.

The first book, 28 Years Later, largely focuses on the collapse of society, showing deserted buildings and the wild, unclothed infected who have reverted to a primal state. The Bone Temple, however, explores the possibility of rebuilding, and Kelson’s relationship with Samson is a small-scale example of this. Through regular morphine doses, Kelson manages to calm Samson’s aggressive instincts, and they begin to share moments of quiet companionship – conversations, and even a sort of dance. It’s reminiscent of the Pygmalion story, and Kelson’s efforts to ‘civilize’ Samson actually start to show results. When Kelson discovers he has only two weeks of morphine remaining, he decides to end Samson’s suffering humanely. But just before he can administer the fatal injection, Samson utters his first word – “moon” – while gazing at the night sky. The next time we see Samson, he’s wearing a loincloth.

The change in Samson’s appearance is striking. He starts the story of The Bone Temple exactly as we last saw him in 28 Years Later: completely naked and acting like a wild animal. As he recovers his mental faculties and becomes more human, he begins to wear clothes again. It’s similar to the biblical story of Adam and Eve, who became aware of their nakedness after eating the forbidden fruit. In this case, the ‘apple’ is morphine, but the result – a newfound awareness and a need for covering up – is the same.

Realizing his life is in danger from the cult leader Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal, Kelson focuses on helping Samson overcome his violent impulses. He figures out that the virus turning people into zombies makes them see anyone uninfected as a threat, and believes medicine could calm Samson’s rage and stop him from wanting to kill. While Kelson doesn’t immediately see progress, the audience does. When Samson returns to the train where he killed Erik, he starts remembering his past life, recalling himself as a boy traveling on the same train. As his memories and present reality blend, Samson begins to see himself as his former self, and for the first time in the series, he’s fully dressed. This change is how he perceives himself now. Along with being able to speak clearly again, Samson’s transformation is complete—the clothes truly representing the man he’s becoming.

We do see Samson’s exposed body again before the story ends, but this time it has a different meaning. After regaining his senses on the train, he encounters others infected with the same condition, and they instinctively recognize the change within him – a change possibly worsened by his attempts to communicate. When they attack, he’s forced to rely on his physical strength – luckily, the medication hasn’t taken that away – to fight them off. As Samson steps off the train, naked and covered in blood, it’s a powerful reminder of birth: we all come into the world vulnerable and exposed. Thanks to Kelson’s actions, Samson is essentially being reborn into a new existence. It’s unclear if he’s fully cured, but we’re witnessing the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

The most striking thing about Samson in The Bone Temple isn’t just that he has a character arc, but that it’s arguably the most emotionally resonant one. He starts as a crude, comedic character and transforms into a powerful symbol of change and the possibility of healing. His journey offers hope not only for the other infected individuals, but also for Spike, who needs to rediscover his own humanity after joining forces with Sir Jimmy. In the film’s final moments, Samson returns to the Bone Temple to thank the dying Kelson – fatally wounded by Jimmy – and carries his body away, a scene that echoes the death of Isla (Jodie Comer) and the creation of her memorial in 28 Years Later. Even if Samson doesn’t appear in the next film, this feels like a perfect conclusion to his story. We can envision a more hopeful future for him, a future found through the peace he gained with Kelson’s help—a future where nudity is reserved for private moments and, perhaps, where he can finally find a pair of pants that fit.

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2026-01-16 22:55