Boyle says Jack O'Connell's cult leader in 28 Years Later drew on Jimmy Savile

Businessinsider reports that director Danny Boyle confirmed Jack O'Connell's Sir Jimmy Crystal in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple was inspired by British TV presenter Jimmy Savile.

In the film, Spike is taken in by a group led by Sir Jimmy Crystal whose look — vibrant purple tracksuits, heavy gold jewelry, and long blond hair — echoes Savile. Boyle said the reference ties into a theme of "partial remembrance, clinging onto things and then recreating them as an image for followers," and Alex Garland called the character "a sort of trippy, fucked up kaleidoscope."

The article notes it is unclear whether Savile's crimes were ever revealed within the franchise's timeline; Savile was outed as a sexual abuser after his death in 2011 when hundreds of allegations emerged. In the film, Spike becomes one of Crystal's disciples, the group goes on a murderous rampage including pulling the skin off a family, and they later encounter Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) with bad consequences for Sir Jimmy. Garland said the film — and ideally a third entry if Boyle gets it greenlit — focuses on how groups construct a future based on selective memory. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is in theaters now.

Key Topics

Culture, Jack O'connell, Jimmy Savile, Danny Boyle, Alex Garland, Sir Jimmy Crystal