The Future of 28 Years Later Is in Safe Hands—Here's Why
For horror fans, 28 Years Later is one of the most exciting projects of 2025. Danny Boyle and Alex Garland are back in action, but what's even more intriguing? The sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, will be directed by Nia DaCosta. Some fans might hesitate—after all, can anyone else capture the raw, unfiltered terror of 28 Days Later?
The answer: Absolutely. And if you're not convinced yet, let's talk about why DaCosta is the best possible filmmaker to continue the legacy.
She's Not Just a Director—She's a Lifelong Fan
Some directors come into a franchise cold. They study it, break it down, try to figure out what makes it tick. DaCosta? She's lived and breathed 28 Days Later since her teenage years.
At CinemaCon, DaCosta revealed that 28 Days Later was one of the only DVDs she owned as a kid. She watched it over and over, absorbing every moment of its bleak, adrenaline-pumping horror. This isn't just a job for her—it's personal. She isn't just recreating Boyle's vision; she's channeling the raw intensity that made the original a genre-defining classic.
And let's be real—when a director truly loves the source material, it shows. (See: Denis Villeneuve with Dune. James Gunn with Guardians of the Galaxy.)
Candyman Proved She Knows How to Revive a Horror Classic
Nostalgia is a double-edged sword. Lean too hard into the past, and you get a lifeless rehash (hello, 2016's Blair Witch). Change too much, and fans revolt (looking at you, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2022).
DaCosta already cracked the code. In 2021, she resurrected Candyman with a sequel that balanced everything perfectly. She honored the original's social horror roots but pushed them into a modern, urgent context. The film wasn't just another slasher—it was smart, provocative, and genuinely scary.
This is exactly what 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple needs. A director who understands what made the original work but isn't afraid to carve a new path.
She Knows How to Do Horror That Lingers
Horror isn't just about jump scares—it's about atmosphere, dread, and the kind of fear that crawls under your skin and stays there. Boyle mastered this in 28 Days Later with eerie, empty London streets and that pulse-pounding Godspeed You! Black Emperor score.
DaCosta gets this. Candyman wasn't just visually stunning—it was unnerving. Every shadow felt like a threat, every reflective surface a portal to something worse. She understands that the scariest horror isn't always loud; sometimes, it's quiet, creeping, inevitable.
Now, imagine what she'll do with The Bone Temple.
She's Got the Talent—And the Endorsement of Horror's Best
Let's not forget—Boyle and Garland are still deeply involved in this trilogy. They clearly believe in DaCosta's vision. That alone should be enough for skeptics.
But beyond that? She's a rising star in Hollywood for a reason. Her films prove she has the technical skill, the creative vision, and—most importantly—the passion to make 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple a worthy successor.
Final Thoughts
Some fans might be nervous about a new director stepping in. But the truth is, 28 Years Later doesn't just need a good horror filmmaker—it needs someone who understands its soul.
Nia DaCosta is that filmmaker. And if her past work is any indication, we're in for something truly special when The Bone Temple hits theaters in 2026.
What Do You Think?
Are you excited about DaCosta taking the reins for 28 Years Later's sequel? Let's talk in the comments.
