Cillian Murphy's Return in '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,' Explained
Cillian Murphy makes a much-awaited return to the 28 Years Later franchise with a cameo appearance in The Bone Temple, in cinemas from Jan. 16. Nia DaCosta’s sequel picks up where Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later left off, as young Spike (Alfie Williams) joins the gang of psychopathic Jimmys led by Sir Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell). Murphy memorably led Boyle’s 2003 original, a role that served as his entrypoint to Hollywood, but The Bone Temple marks the first time he’s returned to the franchise in 23 years. Though his role is fleeting and comes late in the day, Murphy’s return sets the stage for the forthcoming third installment, which will see Boyle return to the director’s chair.
Warning: Some spoilers follow.
Cillian Murphy Returns to the Franchise for the First Time
Murphy reprises the role of delivery-man-cum-zombie-slayer Jim, which he originated in 28 Days Later. In that film, after waking up in a deserted London hospital following the outbreak of the rage virus, Jim joined a group of survivors led by Naomie Harris’ Selena. After escaping a group of bloodthirsty soldiers who prove more dangerous than the infected, Jim and Selena decamped to the countryside. The final scene showed a rescue helicopter circling overhead as the two spelled out ‘HELLO’ on the ground with rocks.
But His Appearance Is Short-Lived
If you’re coming to The Bone Temple strictly to see Murphy reprise his role, prepare to wait a while—about 100 minutes, to be exact. DaCosta well and truly saves the best for last, deploying the Oppenheimer Oscar winner for the film’s final two scenes. (Murphy’s voice does kick the film off with a brief, pre-credits snippet of dialogue, but he remains unseen until the end.)
After Spike and Ink (Erin Kellyman) crucify Jimmy, they flee the compound of Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) in search of a new home. There’s a hard cut to a country cottage which at first we assume to be the pair’s, but once we get inside we realize it belongs to Jim and his young daughter, whom he presumably shares with Selena.
Jim is in the middle of making his daughter lunch and quizzing her for an upcoming homeschool test when they hear a commotion outside. Arming themselves with firearms (which have long since been lost to time, the country reverting to a sort of medieval society), the two creep into the mountains just in time to observe Spike and Ink being pursued by a group of infected.
“Are we going to help them?” Jim’s daughter asks.
“Of course we are,” he replies, as they descend down the mountain with their rifles cocked and the screen fades to black.
One Original Character Is Missing, But Her Fate Is Unknown
Selena does not appear in The Bone Temple; and so far, Harris has kept mum about a possible return to the franchise. Her character is not only unseen but unmentioned, leaving the door wide open for any possible outcome. Perhaps Selena died long ago, or maybe she was out for groceries, and we’ll see her in the next one. Either way, it’s clear that she and Jim share a child; so there will be some mention of the character in part three.
Murphy’s appearance here sets the table for the recently confirmed third installment, which Boyle will return to direct. (Boyle was unable to direct The Bone Temple due to it being shot back-to-back with the first film.) Though we know almost nothing about the next sequel, screenwriter Alex Garland indicated that where The Bone Temple is an exploration of evil, the third film will explore themes of redemption. A release date has yet to be announced for part three, but for us, it can’t come soon enough.