28 Years Later Ending Explained: Shocking Sequel Tease Sparks Major Controversy
Get ready for a wild ride, because 28 Years Later is not just a horror movie—its ending is already stirring up major controversy and teasing an even more provocative sequel. If you thought the zombie franchise was just about infected chaos, the final scene of this new installment will make you rethink everything. Let’s break down what’s really going on, why UK viewers are especially shocked, and what it all means for the next chapter in the series.
- How 28 Years Later sets up its sequel
- Why the ending is causing controversy in the UK
- Who Jimmy Savile was and why his image matters
- What to expect from the upcoming The Bone Temple
28 Years Later – An Ending That Changes Everything
28 Years Later takes us on a journey through horror, family drama, and action, but the final moments? They flip the script entirely. After a moving farewell between Spike (Alfie Williams) and his mother Isla (Jodie Comer), and Spike’s emotional decision to leave his island community, the movie jumps to a totally unexpected scene. Suddenly, we meet a bizarre group of warriors led by a character named Jimmy (Jack O’Connell)—and the mood shifts from somber to surreal, with a soundtrack mixing the Teletubbies theme and punk rock. The leader, wearing an upside-down crucifix and flashy attire, is instantly recognizable to UK viewers for his resemblance to the notorious Jimmy Savile.
Who Was Jimmy Savile—and Why Is This a Big Deal?
If you’re not from the UK, the Jimmy Savile reference might fly over your head. For decades, Savile was a beloved TV and radio personality, known for his charity work and eccentric style. But after his death in 2011, the truth came out: he was one of the most prolific sexual abusers in British history, with hundreds of victims. The scale of his crimes—and the fact that they were covered up by major institutions—shocked the nation. Now, in 28 Years Later, the villainous cult led by “Sir Jimmy Crystal” (as credited in the film) is a direct nod to Savile’s sinister legacy.
Here’s a link to a classic clip for those who want to see how Savile was presented on TV:
Why Did the Filmmakers Go There?
Director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland aren’t just looking for shock value. In interviews, they’ve explained that using Savile’s image is a way to highlight the dangers of selective nostalgia and the way people misremember the past. Boyle told Business Insider that “He’s as much to do with pop culture as he is to do with sportswear, to do with cricket, to do with the honors system. It’s all kind of twisting in this partial remembrance, clinging onto things and then recreating them as an image for followers.” Garland added, “We are living in a time right now which is absolutely dominated by a misremembered past.”
Setting Up The Bone Temple – The Next Sequel
The movie’s bold ending is clearly designed to set the stage for the next film, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which is already shot and slated for release in January 2026. According to Boyle, this sequel will focus even more on the nature of evil, with Sir Jimmy Crystal as the central antagonist. As he told The Independent, “The role of Jack O’Connell’s character and his family, which is a replacement, really, for the family he loses at the beginning of the film, is to reintroduce evil into what has become a compassionate environment.”
But this approach is already causing debate, especially in the UK where Savile’s image is now almost taboo. The next film will be directed by Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels), and she’ll have to walk a very fine line with such charged material. With Boyle and Garland guiding the story, all eyes will be on how the franchise handles this controversial new direction.
One thing’s for sure—28 Years Later isn’t afraid to challenge its audience, and the sequel promises even more heated discussion. Stay tuned for more updates as The Bone Temple approaches its release!
