Between the Temples (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Between the Temples is a 2024 comedy directed by Nathan Silver, starring Carol Kane as Carla Kessler, Jason Schwartzman and Madeline Weinstein. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes and earned $2.3 million worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Supporting Performance at the Spirit Awards 2025. Critics gave it 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 51m (111 min)
- Director
- Nathan Silver
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Fusion Entertainment
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Between the Temples About?
The premise of Between the Temples without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A cantor's deeply held faith is shaken when he's unexpectedly confronted by a former music teacher who is now his adult Bat Mitzvah student. As his spiritual certainty unravels, he finds himself navigating a series of comical and unexpected events. Carol Kane brings her signature humor to the film, alongside Jason Schwartzman in this offbeat comedy.
Between the Temples Themes & Keywords
· 22 tags- jewish
- crisis of faith
- grief
- gay parent
- judaism
- teacher
- cantor
- music teacher
- bat mitzvah
- older woman younger man relationship
- lesbian mother
- shabbat
+10 more Show fewer
- former teacher
- death of wife
- bar fight
- adult son lives with his mother
- male female relationship
- mother son relationship
- dinner
- restaurant
- bar
- world
Between the Temples Cast & Characters
Carol Kane leads the cast as Carla Kessler, with Jason Schwartzman as Ben Gottlieb and Madeline Weinstein as Gabby, Ruth. Directed by Nathan Silver; 20 actors are credited in all.
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Director Nathan Silver
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Carol Kane as Carla Kessler -
Jason Schwartzman as Ben Gottlieb -
Madeline Weinstein as Gabby, Ruth -
Dolly De Leon as Judith Gottlieb
Also Starring in Between the Temples
· 16 more- Caroline Aaron Meira Gottlieb
- Robert Smigel Rabbi Bruce
- Matthew Shear Nat
- Keith Poulson Bartender
- Lindsay Burdge Darcy
- Jason Grisell Priest
- Jaden Waldman Bar Mitzvah Boy
- Pauline Chalamet Leah
- Stephen Lack Mildred's Owner
- Annie Hamilton Rachel
- Cindy Silver Yael
- Julia Walsh Twin #1
- Jacob Morrell Young Ben
- Brittany Walsh Twin 2
- Diane Lanyi Cindy
- Simona Sickler Nerdy Girl
Between the Temples Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Between the Temples 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 76/100, strongest in character & emotion (77) and weakest in sensory experience (68).
Between the Temples Echo Score Breakdown
Between the Temples offers a thoughtfully crafted exploration of identity and tradition marked by engaging performances, coherent storytelling, and a distinctive visual language. The film’s artful direction and lively cinematography support its intimate narrative, while character depth and emotional nuance enrich the central relationship. A gentle pacing and measured wit sustain engagement, complemented by an expressive soundtrack and dynamic camerawork. Its mix of humor and heartfelt moments increases its rewatch appeal. Overall, the film maintains a consistent tone that balances originality and accessibility in a spirited indie drama.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 73
In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits a distinctive directorial vision and a lively visual language. The cinematography frequently employs intimate framing and organic lighting, enhancing the sense of immediacy and thematic depth. Occasional stylistic risks can feel uneven, but the production design and editing maintain an overall coherence. The art direction contributes a cohesive aesthetic to the narrative.
- Character & Emotion 77
In terms of character and emotion, the central performances deliver nuanced portrayals that blend humor and vulnerability. The leads convey a genuine emotional arc through understated gestures and caustic wit, forging an engaging interpersonal dynamic. Some supporting figures receive less development, yet the main duo’s chemistry sustains the film’s empathetic core. The emotional resonance remains compelling throughout.
- Story & Flow 73
In terms of story and flow, the narrative unfolds with measured pacing that balances reflective moments and comedic beats. The plot’s gentle arc explores themes of tradition and self-discovery without resorting to overt melodrama. Occasional structural shifts can feel disjointed, but the engaging dialogue and thematic consistency keep the storyline focused. The film maintains coherent momentum from beginning to end.
- Sensory Experience 68
In terms of sensory experience, the soundtrack and sound design support the film’s intimate tone with subtle musical cues and clear audio mixing. The visual style combines unsteady close-ups with vibrant set pieces to create a lively rhythm. While some experimental shots may distract, the overall cohesion of images and sounds reinforces the film’s distinctive atmosphere and emotional impact.
- Rewatch Factor 72
In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s blend of humor, thematic richness, and character dynamics provides strong incentives for subsequent viewings. Nuanced performances reveal additional emotional layers on repeat, and the interplay between tradition and whimsy offers fresh insights. Although minor pacing irregularities emerge, the warmth of the central relationship and the film’s idiosyncratic rhythm encourage renewed engagement with its narrative world.
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IMDb 6.2 /10
3580 votes
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 83 Metascore
User score 6.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 56% User score
See on TMDB
Between the Temples Plot Summary
What happens in Between the Temples from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Over a year after his wife, Ruth, died after slipping on a patch of ice, cantor Ben Gottlieb is suffering a crisis of faith, and is unable to sing. He moves back in with his mothers, Meira and Judith. After getting into a fight at a bar, Ben encounters Carla Kessler, who was his music teacher in elementary school. The next day, Carla comes to one of Ben’s classes for boys and girls preparing for their bar and bat mitzvahs. Carla says that she has always wanted a bat mitzvah, but she was a red diaper baby; her parents, who were communists, did not allow her to have a bat mitzvah when she turned 13. Ben agrees to teach Carla and gets a ceremony approved by Bruce, the synagogue’s rabbi.
Full summary
The whole story of Between the Temples, scene by scene
Between the Temples Box Office
Between the Temples grossed $2.3 million worldwide. $2.1 million came from the US and Canada and $232,571 (10%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$2.3M
- US & Canada
- $2.1M
- International
- $232.6K
Between the Temples Awards & Nominations
Between the Temples earned 1 award nomination, including Best Supporting Performance at the Spirit Awards 2025.
1 nomination1 ceremony
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Spirit Awards 2025 1 nomination- Nominated Best Supporting Performance – Carol Kane
Between the Temples Trailers & Videos
10 videos: 1 trailer, 2 clips and 7 featurettes.
- Clip "Jdate" Official Clip
- Clip Extended Preview
- Featurette Life on the Screen with Nathan and Cindy Silver
- Featurette Carol Kane's Fantasy Bat Mitzvah
How Well Do You Know Between the Temples?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is Ben Gottlieb's late wife?
Between the Temples Also Known As
18 alternative titles, including “Carla et moi” and “Entre os Templos”.
- Also known as
-
- Carla et moi
- Entre os Templos
- Svatostánky
- Между храмами
- 寺宇之间
- 聖殿領唱的幸福指南
- בין בתי הכנסת
- Hành Trình Đức Tin
- Entre los Templos
- Pomiędzy świątyniami
- Між храмами
- ดนตรี ศรัทธา ความฝัน
+6 more Show fewer
- İnanamıyorum
- Tarp šventyklų
- Tra un tempio e l'altro
- 비트윈 더 템플스
- Kántorkomédia
- Între temple
Seen Between the Temples?
Movies Like Between the Temples
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including In Between, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah! and Keeping the Faith.
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In Between 2018 -
You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah! 2023 -
Keeping the Faith 2000 -
Transmitzvah 2024 -
Keeping Up with the Steins 2006 -
To Dust 2019 -
Shiva Baby 2021 -
Hey Hey It's Esther Blueburger 2010 -
Bad Shabbos 2025 -
The Outside Chance of Maximilian Glick 1988 -
Half 2022 -
The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch 2019
Between the Temples FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Between the Temples, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Between the Temples?
Between the Temples runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).
When was Between the Temples released?
Between the Temples was released on August 23, 2024.
Who directed Between the Temples?
Between the Temples was directed by Nathan Silver.
More films by Nathan Silver Who is in the cast of Between the Temples?
Between the Temples stars Carol Kane as Carla Kessler, Jason Schwartzman as Ben Gottlieb and Madeline Weinstein as Gabby, Ruth, among 20 credited actors.
How much did Between the Temples make at the box office?
Between the Temples grossed $2.3 million worldwide ($2.1 million domestic, $232,571 international).
How is Between the Temples rated?
Between the Temples has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 83 on Metacritic and 56% on TMDB.
Was Between the Temples nominated for any awards?
Between the Temples received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
Does Between the Temples have a post-credit scene?
No. Between the Temples has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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