‘The Bone Temple’ director Nia DaCosta says she wanted to avoid imitating Danny Boyle!

28 Days Later has long been a franchise to remember, setting a benchmark for modern horror with its unsettling realism and cultural impact. Expanding this world with her profound vision is #NiaDaCosta, after former director Danny Boyle handed the reins over to her, with the sequel 28 Days Later: The Bone Temple. Hailed as “the perfect choice to direct The Bone Temple” , Nia DaCosta talks about how she wants to make the film her own instead of imitating Danny Boyle.

For DaCosta, stepping into a franchise was never about imitation. From her earliest conversations with Boyle and writer Alex Garland, she was clear about her vision regarding her approach towards the film. “I’m not going to try to make a Danny Boyle movie.’ Because that’s impossible to make..”, she explains, acknowledging that trying to recreate the style of Danny Boyle on screen would be impossible and creatively restrictive.

“Alex’s script was very different from 28 Years Later, so it lends itself to a different approach.”, DaCosta notes that the script for the sequel already demanded a different visual and tonal language, naturally opening the door for a fresh perspective. Rather than leaning on familiar rhythms from the earlier films, she found a space for experimenting – embracing bold imagery, heightened atmosphere, and a more visually adventurous style.

At the same time, DaCosta balances that experimentation with a grounding sense of classical filmmaking. While she says, “I could really put my imprint on it – to let my freak flag fly – and be visually adventurous and matching that with more classical filmmaking.”, her vision isn’t about chaos for its own sake. Instead, it refines that instinctive energy with purpose, shaping a film that moves the franchise forward with confidence and clarity.

By choosing not to intimate what came before, DaCosta positions the film as both a continuation and an evolution. It’s a film that respects legacy and carries genuine love and respect for the prequel, therefore, carrying the narrative forward while allowing the franchise to evolve without losing its identity. This marks a bold new chapter driven by a filmmaker bold enough to leave her own unmistakable imprint on an iconic horror universe.

Sony Pictures Entertainment India releases 28 Days Later: The Bone Temple in India on 16th January 2026.

By Keerti Kadam