The ending of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple delivers major twists, a potential cure, and a long-awaited return that sets up the franchise’s next chapter. The 2026 sequel, directed by Nia DaCosta, concludes with the deaths of major characters, the survival of its young hero, and a final scene that directly connects to the original film. For fans following the new trilogy, the finale answers some questions and opens new doors for the story’s future.
The Final Confrontation At The Bone Temple
The movie’s climax centers on a dangerous deception orchestrated by Dr. Ian Kelson. To survive an encounter with the brutal cult leader Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal, Kelson agrees to pretend he is Satan, or “Old Nick,” whom Jimmy claims to serve. Jimmy hopes this performance will solidify his control over his gang of followers, all named “Jimmy”.
In an elaborate show for the cult, Kelson uses pyrotechnics, music, and theatrics to convincingly play the part. However, his plan changes when he spots Spike among the gang members. Recognizing the young man he helped in the previous film, Kelson breaks character. He attempts to use his perceived authority as “Satan” to demand Spike be handed over as a sacrifice, secretly aiming to save him.
โKelsonโs choice to save Spike, who otherwise likely would have gotten himself killed or fell further under Jimmy’s sway, is the culmination of the character’s role as the paragon of the franchise.โ
Sir Jimmy sees through the ruse and stabs Kelson, mortally wounding the doctor. This act of violence triggers a rebellion within his own group. Jimmy Ink, a member of the gang, turns on Jimmy Crystal. She kills the remaining loyal followers and crucifies Jimmy Crystal himself on an upside-down cross. With the cult destroyed, Jimmy Ink reveals her real name is Kelly. She and Spike, now free, discard their cult wigs and set off together.
Dr. Kelson’s Legacy And The Potential Cure
One of the film’s most significant revelations is that the Rage Virus can potentially be cured. Throughout the story, Dr. Kelson cares for an infected “Alpha” he names Samson. Kelson operates on the theory that the virus induces a severe psychosis rather than a purely biological transformation.
His breakthrough comes when a morphine dose allows Samson a moment of clarity, during which the infected man looks at the sky and says the word “moon”. This proves to Kelson that a shred of humanity remains within the infected. He later administers a treatment designed to counteract the psychosis, which successfully restores Samson’s mind.
The cured Samson returns to the Bone Temple to find the dying Kelson. In a poignant moment, Samson thanks the doctor by name before carrying his body away. This creates a crucial story point: Kelson’s groundbreaking research on a cure exists, but it may be lost with his death. Samson knows he was cured, and Kelson’s notes might remain in the temple, but Spike and Kelly leave the area unaware of this discovery.
Cillian Murphy’s Return As Jim
The film’s final scene is a major callback to the 2002 original, 28 Days Later. The story cuts to a quiet, well-established cottage. Inside, Cillian Murphy’s character, Jim, is seen teaching a young girl, presumably his daughter. They discuss a history lesson about World War II, with Jim stressing the importance of remembering the past.
Their peaceful moment is interrupted by noise outside. From their window, they see two peopleโSpike and Kellyโrunning for their lives from a horde of the infected. Jim’s daughter asks if they should help the strangers.
The Bone Temple ends on his answer: โOf course we do.โ
This final line, accompanied by the swell of the original film’s iconic score, strongly suggests that Jim will be a central figure in the next sequel. His return, confirmed by director Danny Boyle ahead of the film’s release, connects the new trilogy directly to its roots.
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What The Ending Means For Spike And The Future
Spike’s journey concludes with him reclaiming his freedom and his humanity. After being forced into a murderous cult, he escapes with a new companion, Kelly. Their path now puts them on a collision course with Jim, the original survivor.
The film highlights a clear contrast between the types of evil that persist in this broken world. The mindless violence of the infected is presented as a tragic illness, one that might now be curable. The calculated cruelty of Sir Jimmy Crystal’s cult, however, represents a conscious choice to abandon morality, making them arguably more monstrous.
With a third film confirmed, the ending sets up several key threads. Jim’s re-entry into the story will likely see him protect Spike and Kelly. The existence of Samson, a cured infected, and the possible location of Dr. Kelson’s research present a potential way to end the plague. Furthermore, the fates of other characters from the trilogy, like Spike’s father or the pregnant woman Cathy who escaped the cult, remain unresolved and could play a part in the next installment.
