28 Years Later Finale Unveils the Surprising Way Cillian Murphy Makes His Return

Alright, horror fans—let's talk about what just happened in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. If you’ve kept up with this franchise (and if you haven’t, go watch 28 Days Later immediately), you know there’s been one big question since they announced these sequels: How the hell is Cillian Murphy’s Jim going to show up again? The last film didn't even acknowledge him, which raised a few eyebrows.

Cillian Murphy Is (Finally) Back—Here’s How

People have been speculating for ages about whether Murphy would bother to return. In The Bone Temple—which, yes, was filmed right after 28 Years Later (the critical darling of this franchise revival)—they kept his involvement a pretty tightly sealed secret. If you expected Jim to crash through the wall halfway through the movie, well, lower those expectations. He pops up for a quick cameo, right at the very end, but it's a big deal for two reasons.

• The setup: The movie’s finale suddenly jumps to that old cottage—the same spot from the end of 28 Days Later. Nice callback. Inside, Jim is living a semi-normal life, coaching his daughter for a history test. It’s all domestic bliss, until things inevitably go sideways.
• The confrontation: Jim hears something sketchy outside, grabs a weapon (because, of course, it's that kind of world), and heads out with his daughter. That’s when they spot Spike (played by Alfie Williams) and Ink (Erin Kellyman) being chased by a fresh batch of infected. Instead of ducking away like a sane person, Jim’s daughter asks if they’re actually going to help.
• The moment: Jim gives her this simple line—
  'Of course we are.'
• The cliffhanger: Right as they prep to jump into the chaos, the movie cuts to black. That’s your ending—a classic, leave-you-hanging finish that signals Jim is about to be right back in the thick of it.

Was it a five-minute monologue or a full action scene? Nope. So if you were hoping for the original lead to step up and chew the scenery, you’ll have to wait. But here’s why this actually matters: there’s already a follow-up in the works, so Cillian Murphy isn’t just back in the universe—he’s likely going to be front and center for the next chapter. Basically, the old guard is about to meet the new, and the franchise is definitely not done with him.

That’s the big reveal. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is out in theaters now. Get ready for more Jim, because this story’s nowhere near over.