“Do we help them?”

Story: After the events of the last film, Spike is introduced to the Jimmy gang. Let’s see how it goes. Meanwhile, Doc Kelson is trying to find the humanity in good ol’ Samson. Let’s see how it goes. And a pregnant woman and her family try to survive day to day. Let’s see… Well you get the gist.

Genre I’d put it in: Superb Sequels
Release Date: 2026
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: The fourth entry in the 28 Days Later film series, and the second film of the 28 Years trilogy.

Gotta say: Okay let me fess up here. I didn’t think Temple could build on the fascinating story of Years. I was scared to hope. But it does. In fact I’d go so far as to say it’s better than it’s immediate predecessor.

That’s thanks to 1) the returning cast, who not only inhabit their characters, but made me believe they WERE those characters. 2) director Nia Dacosta, who found the humanity in every character, even a few you’re rooting against. 3) a screenplay by Alex Garland that switches POV enough times to keep you interested in everyone on screen, but not enough to get messy.

The cinematography is just as good as the Years, and maybe a little better. I’d like to think it’s because I threw down the gauntlet in my Years review, but I just think new-to-the-franchise DP Sean Bobbit decided to show up and show out. And wow, does he. I caught myself sighing “OMG that’s gorgeous” several times. Couple this with art direction that’s equally amazing, add in everyone else I mentioned earlier, and Temple is literally a monument to the horror genre.

Getting back to the performances, new characters slip in well with the ones we already know. Okay fine; not everyone plays well with others at times. Looking at you, Samson. Brains for breakfast? Fine. Do you. While I thought about giving my special shout-out to Chi Lewis-Parry as Samson, because Lewis-Parry gets to flex a lot more than his considerable musculature here? He’ll most likely get flowers from everyone, deservedly so. So I’ll go with Erin Kellyman as Jimmy Ink, a Jimmy that takes Spike under her wing. It’s a performance that had me wanting to know more about her, and that’s a high compliment.

As for the gory stuff? I’m a poor one to ask, because I’m kinda desensitized to it. But there are several grossout scenes. My biggest ick in Temple as got to be the barfing; though it’s realistic to the scenes where it happens? I can’t stomach it. Aaaaaaand there’s my bad pun for this review. Please do not clap.

The only thing I can’t stand about this film? That I’ll have to wait for the next one. Because Dacosta, you’ve hooked me. You really did. Please give this talented creator more genre work. Because I’m greedy. Until then, I may just go re-watch this one.

#Protip: Hildur Guðnadóttir did an amazing job with the score for the film, creating a subtle, seductive beat. But it’s the diagetic music that had this GenX-er throwing horns of pure joy. If you wanna jam to the songs used in the film? Here you go.