‘Sinners’ Jack O’Connell Goes Full Apocalypse in His Next Role as a Cult Leader in ’28 Years Later’

Jack O’Connell is on a serious streak of sinister. Over the weekend, he had moviegoers squirming in their seats thanks to his bloodthirsty performance in Ryan Coogler’s vampire hit Sinners. O’Connell’s Remmick isn’t your average fanged menace — he’s a jig-dancing sadist with a flair for theatrics and an appetite for chaos.

But just when you thought he couldn’t get more unhinged, O’Connell is leveling up the creep factor. His next stop? Is a rumored Cult leader. The British actor is set to appear in Danny Boyle’s post-apocalyptic return to the infected universe with 28 Years Later. While fans were quick to spot the lack of O’Connell in the first trailer, the actor has been teasing his role — a mysterious figure known as “Jimmy Crystal.”

O’Connell told GQ he sees Jimmy as a “gas cunt,” a phrase only the Irish can make sound like a compliment and a warning all at once. Given that, it’s safe to say we’re not dealing with a humble community leader. The full scope of his character is still under wraps, but early buzz suggests we’re in for something uncomfortable. When asked about Jimmy, O’Connell told GQ.

Yes, Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal, [to give the] full moniker. He’s a…he is a gas cunt. I don’t know quite how to describe him yet. But thrilling to portray, that’s for sure. He definitely exists in the darker pocket, certainly in contrast to anything I’ve ever played before.

Fans who only know O’Connell as Skins’ troubled teen Cook are getting a crash course in just how deep his range goes. After all, this isn’t his first rodeo in intense territory the man held down war drama ’71 and gave a knockout performance in Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken. Now, he’s merging the charm with full-on menace.

28 Years Later isn’t just a sequel — it’s the kickoff of a whole new trilogy. Boyle and writer Alex Garland are back in the driver’s seat for this one, reclaiming their zombie legacy. The second chapter, The Bone Temple, is already in the can with Candyman’s Nia DaCosta behind the camera, and Garland is penning all three parts. This time, they’re building something massive.

With O’Connell being teased as a central figure in this new arc, all eyes are on when and how Sir Jimmy makes his entrance. If Sinners proved anything, it’s that O’Connell can steal a scene — and your sleep — in a heartbeat. Whether he’s sucking blood or leading a doomsday cult, the man is clearly in his villain era, and we’re here for it.

28 Years Later is set for release June 20, 2025.

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