Bone Temple ‘mind cure’ theory turns 28 Years Later 3 into most terrifying movie yet

It’s official: 28 Years Later 3 is going ahead, meaning we’ll be getting an end to the trilogy. If a ‘mind cure’ theory turns out to be true in The Bone Temple, the threequel could be the most horrifying movie in the franchise – but not for the reason you might expect. 

Danny Boyle always envisioned his 28 Days Later follow-ups as a trilogy, promising Cillian Murphy’s Jim is set to make an appearance at the end of The Bone Temple and be a huge part of the third movie. 

Whether Part 3 would go ahead was up in the air, until this week, when Deadline revealed that Sony has given the greenlight after incredible reactions to early screenings of The Bone Temple. 

Understandably, little is known about what the third movie is about, but if this theory about Samson’s backstory and Dr Ian Kelson’s (Ralph Fiennes) cure is correct, it could push the horror franchise into far darker territory than anyone anticipated. 

Samson theory suggests infected control could lead to chaos in 28 Years Later 3

According to the theory, Kelson’s treatment lets Samson recall memories and resist rage, creating a controllable (but not cured) form of Infected. If this became public, governments could try weaponizing the Infected and risk triggering a global outbreak in 28 Years Later 3. 

Yes, this is a reach and yes, we already saw the virus spread overseas in 28 Weeks Later, but it wouldn’t need to dominate the plot. These films have always been as much about the brutality of mankind as the Infected themselves.

Even a hint of officials exploiting Kelson’s work could be enough to push the trilogy toward a bleak finale, one that implies the Rage virus isn’t just back, but spreading far and wide. 

The theory itself was shared on Reddit, referencing the clips in the trailer that look as if they’re set to show a young Samson the Alpha on a train. The other passengers stand up, and then suddenly turn into zombies. 

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The Redditor suggested that perhaps Kelson’s treatment allows Samson to tap into his memories. “What if Samson, under pacification, and maybe the introduction of another compound, allowed him access to memory?” they asked. 

“Tranquillization + access to memory (via possible psychedelic treatment) = ability to reason non violently. Not necessarily a cure, but a ‘solution’. Reason I say this is because I think in the new trailer we are seeing him fight with other INFECTED.

“I’m willing to bet that what the infected see that prompts them to attack non-infected is the facial expression of fear.” 

The Redditor went on to explain that perhaps while being in a tranquilized state, it would allow Samson and therefore other infected to recognize that fear doesn’t equal danger.

Sony

“I mean look at Dr. Kelsen, most of the stuff he is doing ritualistically is very heavy on facial performance, so maybe that’s his theory,” they added. 

“I know for a fact it would be MY theory. Perhaps Samson recalling himself being on a train during the early day outbreak spread gave him enough information to realize that non-rage facial expressions doesn’t necessarily mean you should attack them.”

The theory has sparked a lively discussion, but there’s one response that stands out, “I think if word gets out if the infected can be controlled through therapeutic measures, that might actually turn them into a weapon for governments to control, which could lead to a worldwide outbreak.”

Sony

Could this be the plot of 28 Years Later 3? It’s pure conjecture at this stage, but half the fun of horror movie fandoms is speculation and interpretation. 

Others simply support the concept, with one writing, “YES! There’s that one shot in the trailer of Samson looking absolutely TRAUMATIZED so you might be onto something.”

“Damn, I love this idea so much and think it could be a great fit to the Years story but also 28 Days as a whole,” said another, while a third added, “Sounds interesting. I think the scene is of Samson and other infected in the train.”

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple drops in cinemas on January 16, 2026. In the meantime, check out are breakdown of the 28 Years Later ending and the best horror movies of 2025.