Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Comedy

Between the Temples (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Between the Temples (2024) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
worldwide gross
$2.3M
award nomination
1
Echo Score
76
Loading streaming availability…
Between the Temples (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 51m (111 min)
Director
Nathan Silver
Genre
Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • former teacher
  • death of wife
  • bar fight
  • adult son lives with his mother
  • male female relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • dinner
  • restaurant
  • bar
  • world
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Between the Temples

· 16 more
Ratings

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).

76 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.3M

US & Canada
$2.1M
International
$232.6K
US & Canada 90% Rest of the world 10%
Awards

Between the Temples Awards & Nominations

Between the Temples earned 1 award nomination, including Best Supporting Performance at the Spirit Awards 2025.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Between the Temples Trailers & Videos

10 videos: 1 trailer, 2 clips and 7 featurettes.

All 10 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip "Jdate" Official Clip
  • Clip Extended Preview
  • Featurette Life on the Screen with Nathan and Cindy Silver
  • Featurette Carol Kane's Fantasy Bat Mitzvah
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is Ben Gottlieb's late wife?

Details

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
  • İnanamıyorum
  • Tarp šventyklų
  • Tra un tempio e l'altro
  • 비트윈 더 템플스
  • Kántorkomédia
  • Între temple

Seen Between the Temples?

FAQ

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.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app