28 Years Later – Director Nia DaCosta of The Bone Temple has shed light on whether Samson is completely healed by the film’s conclusion, providing fresh perspectives on one of the sequel’s most contentious scenes. The second installment in the reimagined 28 Days Later series carries on the narrative many years after the initial outbreak, broadening the lore surrounding the Rage Virus and presenting innovative concepts regarding the infected.
The Bone Temple picks up the narrative from 2025’s 28 Years Later, where survivors of a devastating outbreak discover an enigmatic sanctuary called the Bone Temple. In this film, Dr. Ian Kelson (played by Ralph Fiennes) strives not only to calm the infected but also to revive their lost humanity.
Kelson conducts experiments using sedatives and antipsychotic medications on Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry), the imposing infected Alpha first presented in 28 Years Later. Ultimately, Samson seems to be cured, regaining a clearer, more human-like demeanor that allows him to communicate and remember aspects of his past life, all while keeping his enhanced strength and size, and even appearing to be immune to reinfection.
In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter regarding the conclusion of The Bone Temple and the future of the franchise, DaCosta elaborated on the true extent of Samson’s “cured” state, all while being cautious not to reveal any spoilers for the upcoming installment.
With the third film currently in the works, DaCosta’s insights provide context for Samson’s destiny and it’s implications for the future of the 28 Years Later franchise.
According to Nia DaCosta, “This is incredibly fascinating because a third movie is on the way. Last night, I had a conversation with Alex [Garland] about it, and I want to be careful not to reveal anything that could later be changed, as I have strong feelings about my approach for this film. However, I believe I can share that he isn’t completely healed, and the extent of his healing is permanent. He’s not the same as he was [at the beginning of the movie], but does that make him one of us? I’m not sure. What I do know is that he’s not who he used to be.”
The most significant twist in The Bone Temple is the discovery that the Rage Virus could potentially be cured, a groundbreaking revelation that Kelson ultimately carries to his grave. Utilizing his extensive knowledge, Kelson dedicates a large portion of the film to caring for and observing Samson, slowly developing a connection with him.
As the movie unfolds, Kelson speculates that the Rage Virus has left Samson ensnared in a profound state of psychosis. This theory is supported by earlier moments in the film where Samson assaults what he believes to be a rotting zombie instead of an innocent, frightened individual.
Instead of seeing Samson merely as a danger, Kelson is convinced that he represents evidence that a trace of humanity might still linger beneath the virus’s influence. Nonetheless, DaCosta’s remarks indicate an impending clash concerning the cure and Samson’s transformed identity.
This uncertainty represents a notable development in the 28 Days Later narrative. The initial 2002 film 28 Days Later, helmed by Danny Boyle and penned by Alex Garland, revolutionized the contemporary zombie genre by presenting the swift, intensely aggressive infected—beings created from isolation and fury instead of mystical powers.
As we look to the future, Samson’s lasting yet unfinished recovery may redefine the stakes for the franchise in the third film, paving the way for infected individuals who inhabit a gray area between being a monster and a human.
If the cure can stabilize the Rage Virus instead of reversing it, future installments might delve into how the “cured” individuals adapt to their new existence in a human-like form, while still possessing the enhanced size and strength that the virus has conferred.
28 Years Later – The Bone Temple presents a fresh dilemma in the 28 Days Later universe, paving the way for the upcoming installment to delve into moral, scientific, and societal issues that are significantly more intricate than mere survival.