Does a Cure for the Rage Virus Exist in 28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE?

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Zombie viruses are popular in movies and TV, and it’s understandable why – when facing a huge global threat, people naturally hope for a quick fix, a miracle cure. However, in the world of the influential zombie film 28 Days Later and its sequel 28 Years Later, there’s never been a cure for the ‘Rage’ virus. This virus permanently transforms people into aggressive, enraged zombies, stripping them of their humanity. Throughout the series, the focus has been on stopping the spread through quarantine and containment. But the new trailer for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple hints that a cure might finally be possible. We’ll explain what the movie reveals about a potential cure below.

Does 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Introduce a Cure for the Rage Virus?

Yes, a cure for the Rage virus exists. In 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Dr. Ian Kelson, played by Ralph Fiennes, develops a treatment that completely reverses the effects of the virus on infected individuals, restoring their memories, reasoning skills, and eliminating the rage it caused. He successfully uses this cure on the Alpha, Samson, in the story.

How Does Dr. Ian Kelson Develop the Rage Virus Cure in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple?

The original 28 Years Later film establishes that those infected with the Rage Virus can have normal children, suggesting the virus doesn’t fundamentally change their DNA or turn them into a completely different species. The movie also introduces a new level of compassion within the franchise. Dr. Kelson shows respect for the Alpha zombie, Samson, treating him as an individual and even giving him a name – something never seen before in the 28 Days/Years Later series.

In 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Dr. Kelson develops sympathy for Samson, which ultimately leads to a potential cure for the Rage Virus. She discovers Samson is still suffering from arrow wounds he received while chasing Spike and the baby in the previous film. Naturally, she wants to help him heal. To do so safely, she uses morphine to calm the Infected zombie Alpha, and Samson seems to enjoy the resulting peaceful state, repeatedly seeking it out. Surprisingly, the zombie doesn’t harm Dr. Kelson and seems to remember her kindness, even bringing her gifts. However, Dr. Kelson’s morphine supply is limited. While Samson shows signs of the virus weakening, she decides to humanely end his suffering before the drug runs out.

Just as Dr. Kelson prepares to euthanize Samson, the morphine unexpectedly causes a change in the zombie. Samson is able to recognize and name the moon. This small sign of recognition is enough for Dr. Kelson, who immediately begins searching for a cure to the Rage Virus, as detailed in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.

How Does Dr. Ian Kelson’s Cure Work in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple?

In 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Dr. Kelson discovers a cure for the Rage Virus. The cure works by tackling all parts of the virus. Dr. Kelson explains that morphine helps with the physical symptoms, specifically the intense pain and bleeding experienced by those infected, which fuels their rage. However, the virus also affects the mind, so a complete cure needs to address that as well.

Dr. Kelson observes that infected zombies attack everything, including children, which makes no sense. He believes this means the Rage Virus is causing them to hallucinate – to see things that aren’t real. He concludes this is a form of psychosis, and importantly, psychosis is treatable.

While the exact combination is unknown, mixing morphine with a drug that addresses the psychosis experienced by the character known as Samson completely reverses the effects of the Rage Virus on the Infected Zombie Alpha, restoring his human state. This is how 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple reveals a potential cure for the virus.

Now that Dr. Kelson is Dead, What Will Become of the Cure for the Rage Virus?

Unfortunately, Dr. Kelson creates the cure for the Rage Virus near the end of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Shortly after giving the cure to Samson, he is killed by Sir Jimmy Crystal. With Dr. Kelson’s death, no one left in 28 Years Later knows how to reproduce the cure. Does this mean the cure is lost forever with his death?

We also don’t know if Samson needs ongoing treatment with the Rage Virus cure to stay human, or if he’ll turn back into a zombie-like Infected without it. However, if he does remain human, at least one person will know that a cure for the rage virus is possible, as shown in 28 Years Later. And that’s a hopeful sign.

The Real Cure for the Rage Virus Is Compassion in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

The core message of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is that kindness and empathy, not just science, can overcome the Rage Virus. While a doctor trapped in a poorly equipped bunker managed to develop a cure, his most important tool wasn’t technology – it was compassion. Unlike powerful organizations or most people in the 28 Days/Years story, Dr. Kelson treated Samson with respect and recognized his humanity. This allowed him to study the virus effectively and, ultimately, find a cure thanks to his genuine care for Samson.

There’s still a reason to be optimistic. The movie’s ending, especially with Cillian Murphy’s surprise appearance, emphasizes kindness and helping others unconditionally. This suggests that a complete cure might be possible in the third and final 28 Years Later film.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is now playing in theaters.

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2026-01-16 09:05