Last year, *28 Years Later* resurrected a franchise that originally turned the zombie genre on its head in 2002 with *28 Days Later*. Released in the months following 9/11, the Alex Garland-written and Danny Boyle-directed film introduced rage-filled monsters who didn’t shamble—they ran. It is now regarded as one of the best horror films of the 21st century.
Neither Boyle nor Garland returned for the 2005 follow-up, *28 Weeks Later*. But two decades later, both creators were back for the perfectly titled *28 Years Later*. Although this was set to be the first of a planned trilogy, Boyle stepped down from the director’s chair for the second installment, *28 Years Later: The Bone Temple*, handing the reins over to Nia DaCosta.
A few years ago, this might have been considered a risk. However, by 2021, DaCosta had already proven her ability to breathe new life into a franchise when she shocked audiences with her take on *Candyman*.
### Nia DaCosta Was Given a Difficult Task With *28 Years Later: The Bone Temple*
In April 2024, Deadline exclusively announced that Nia DaCosta would direct the second entry in the *28 Years Later* trilogy. This news was huge for DaCosta but also presented a unique challenge. Instead of being a traditional sequel, *28 Years Later* and *28 Years Later: The Bone Temple* were to be filmed nearly back-to-back. This meant Boyle’s film would remain fresh in everyone’s minds, creating high expectations for DaCosta’s follow-up.
Despite the pressure, DaCosta was confident in her vision. She told CNN,
“I came in saying, this is my vision for it. And I also don’t want to make a Danny Boyle movie, because I don’t know how to do that.”
Her statement was not a sign of disrespect but a confident acknowledgment of her own talent—precisely why she was hired. This approach should be no surprise considering what she achieved with *Candyman* five years earlier.
### Jordan Peele Hired Nia DaCosta To Direct *Candyman*
In 2018, still in her 20s, Nia DaCosta wrote and directed her first film, *Little Woods*, starring Tessa Thompson and Lily James. The film’s phenomenal reviews put DaCosta on the map. That same year, despite *Little Woods* not being a horror film, she was hired by Jordan Peele to direct a sequel to *Candyman*—a high-pressure assignment.
The original *Candyman* (1992) was arguably the best horror film of the first half of the decade, released at a time when the genre was struggling after the 1980s slasher boom. Its premise about a killer with a hook for a hand, who appears when you say his name five times in the mirror, may sound like another typical slasher flick.
However, the film—based on a Clive Barker story—was much deeper. It explored themes of class and racism while introducing a new horror icon played by Tony Todd. Although the franchise faltered by the decade’s end with two subpar sequels, fans continued to desire more, especially for Todd to reprise his role.
When the new *Candyman* was finally released three years after announcement, Todd was not the titular character. Normally, recasting such a beloved figure would spark fan outrage, but in this case, it was the best possible choice.
### The 2021 *Candyman* Worked by Focusing on Story Over Nostalgia
The original *Candyman*, although made by a white director (Bernard Rose) and based on a story about another white man, centered on the Black experience. This made hiring a Black filmmaker critical for the 2021 version.
DaCosta told *Empire*, “There is definitely a sense of taking ownership, and telling a Black story about Black people.”
But her hiring was more than just about representation. It was earned through talent. Peele praised her to *Empire*, calling her film “beautiful, steady, and elegant.”
DaCosta not only directed *Candyman* but also co-wrote it with Peele and Win Rosenfeld. The film succeeded by honoring what *Candyman* stood for, rather than relying on nostalgia or fan service.
It didn’t need Tony Todd or a simple slasher formula. Instead, it paid tribute to the past while delivering the horror audiences expected—plenty of scares and gore—without losing sight of important social commentary, including gentrification and police brutality.
Casting Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as *Candyman* was a genius move. It built on the concept of the character as a legend born of Black tragedies, suggesting he could look like anyone.
Like *Little Woods*, the 2021 *Candyman* was a deeper examination of humanity and societal issues. It wasn’t about a hook-handed killer—it never was.
Fans were captivated. *Candyman* received critical acclaim and grossed $77 million worldwide.
### Preparing for *28 Years Later: The Bone Temple*
DaCosta’s bold take on *Candyman* could have been an absolute disaster in the wrong hands. Instead, she succeeded despite her relatively short career.
This experience prepared her well for *28 Years Later: The Bone Temple*, which is—unsurprisingly—receiving spectacular reviews. Critics praise DaCosta for putting her own spin on a legendary franchise, crafting a nightmare that is familiar yet distinctively her own.
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*Candyman* is currently available to watch on Peacock in the U.S.
https://collider.com/candyman-nia-dacosta-28-years-later-the-bone-temple/
