“The whole world will cease to make any sense.” These are among the words spoken in the first trailer released for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta (2021’s Candyman, The Marvels), serves as a direct sequel to this year’s 28 Years Later. The two films are the most recent additions to the 28 Days Later franchise, whose first installment debuted in 2002 and was directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland. Boyle and Garland returned for Years before handing The Bone Temple off to DaCosta for a January 2026 release.

The trailer sees returning characters from the previous film including Ralph Fiennes, Alphie Williams, Jack O’Connell, and Chi Lewis-Parry as “Samson,” a well-endowed, rage-infected fan favorite. We get a more in-depth glimpse at O’Connell’s Sir Jimmy Crystal, a cult-leader figure who popped up mysteriously in the end moments of the last film. Lead actor Alphie Williams as Spike dons apparel similar to that of Jimmy and his followers, as they inflict barbaric violence on others in the post-apocalyptic British Isles. The titular “bone temple,” a mortal display of life and death constructed by Fiennes’ character Dr Kelson, is lit ablaze in the final seconds of the trailer, signifying a greater role in the upcoming horror film.

Also set to reprise their roles are Aaron Taylor-Johnson, as well as original 28 Days Later star Cillian Murphy. Garland has penned the screenplay and is also set to write the final installment in the proposed new trilogy, with Boyle returning to direct. The untitled fifth film is currently without a plot synopsis or a release date. The Bone Temple’s trailer was released this Wednesday, attatched with the description “Even greater changes are still to come”. Find out which changes when the film hits theatres this January. Watch the official trailer below.