Our sympathy for the zombie has run dry
Zombie fans swarming to the theater prefer the comic mayhem of Resident Evil to the empathy of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
In the 2026 film landscape, two starkly different takes on zombies emerge. "28 Year Later: The Bone Temple," directed by Nia DaCosta, offers a nuanced portrayal of humanity's capacity for empathy even amidst a viral outbreak, while "Resident Evil" prioritizes mindless carnage over character development. In "The Bone Temple," the protagonist, Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (played by Jack O'Connell), is a psychopathic leader who once betrayed his own kind.
Despite his nastiness, the film manages to convey genuine sympathy for him by highlighting the broken little boy hidden within his monstrous exterior. Dr. Ian Kelson (voiced by Ralph Fiennes) strives to understand the humanity within Jimmy, treating him as a fellow human being rather than an enemy. Samson, a powerful zombie leader played by Chi Lewis-Parry, is another example of this nuanced approach, as Kelson attempts to reason with him even as he grapples with his own disturbing affinity for the alpha zombie.
However, "The Bone Temple" was a commercial failure, grossing only $25 million domestically, casting doubt on its prospects for a sequel. In contrast, "Resident Evil" revels in the gore and excitement of zombie action, with zombies serving as expendable antagonists. The film treats the infected as mere obstacles, treating their loss as little more than a joke.
While this approach may be entertaining, it lacks the depth and emotional resonance found in "The Bone Temple." Ultimately, the choice between the two films depends on a viewer's preference: a thrilling, mindless action experience or a thought-provoking exploration of humanity's capacity for empathy even in the darkest of times.
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