- Primary Subject: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026)
- Key Update: The film deconstructs the myth of Old Nick, revealing the devil figure to be a psychological fabrication used by cult leader Jimmy Crystal to control his followers.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: January 20, 2026
- In the film, Old Nick is a symbolic name for the devil used by Jimmy Crystal’s cult to justify atrocities in a post-apocalyptic world.
Fans have heard the name “Old Nick” in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, but it doesn’t just refer to Jimmy Crystal’s (Jack O’Connell) father – it is also a name used for the devil.
As the second installment in the 28 Years Later trilogy, the film uses symbolism and the concept of Satan, turning Old Nick into more than just a character.
So, how does The Bone Temple change everything about Old Nick? Read on to find out.
Who or What Old Nick is in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple?
Old Nick is one of the major themes in The Bone Temple. It’s the nickname given to Jimmy’s dad and the figure the Satanist cult prays to, making it the main motivation for Jimmy and his Fingers.
Following his father’s beliefs, Jimmy thinks the Rage Virus is made up of demons escaping into the world.
And with his faith in Satan, he also believes Old Nick is working through his father during the chaos of the Rage Virus outbreak.
This belief is why Jimmy is able to justify his horrifying actions, as he also thinks he is Satan’s son.
In addition to having a huge influence on Jimmy, Old Nick also plays a very important thematic role in The Bone Temple.
In the film, Old Nick is portrayed as a powerful and frightening figure. In fact, Jimmy and his Fingers believe Old Nick is real, considering him a devil or a god.
However, everything changes when cult member Jimmy Ink (Erin Kellyman) meets Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes).
How Does 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Change the Theme of Old Nick?
From the color of Kelson’s skin to his strange movements and rituals, not to mention the massive bone structure of the Bone Temple where Ink encounters him, she quickly assumes Kelson is Old Nick.
Contrary to her beliefs, however, Kelson is not a monster or a demon; he is simply a lonely doctor who studies the infected and tries to understand them.
Jimmy and his cult think differently. When Jimmy threatens his life, Kelson pretends to be Satan so that Jimmy and his followers will commit to him.
But knowing Jimmy is not bad after all, Kelson ultimately chooses to save Spike (Alfie Williams) instead –an ultimate sacrifice that proves he is human and heroic.
Jimmy, meanwhile, is crucified by his former followers, ending up calling out to his mother for help and revealing that he is just a scared young boy, far removed from the antichrist he pretends to be.
This shows that Old Nick is not a demon, spirit, or god in The Bone Temple. He is an idea created by frightened and desperate people who have nothing left to hold on to.
In the broken world they live in, the cult believes Old Nick gives them something to follow.
Jimmy uses the idea of Old Nick to control others and excuse his cruelty. When the cult mistakes Kelson for Old Nick, it proves their belief is fragile and rooted in fear rather than truth.
If there is one thing the second 28 Years Later movie makes clear, it is that the scariest threats are not zombies, but people who pretend they know everything.
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