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Historical horror film

Temple (2017): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Temple (2017) movie poster

Temple is a 2017 historical horror film directed by Michael Barrett, starring Naoto Takenaka as Ryo, Asahi Uchida and Natalia Warner. It runs 1 hour 18 minutes. Critics gave it 23 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 3.7/10.

IMDb rating
3.7/10
Echo Score
36
Metascore
23
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Temple (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 18m (78 min)
Director
Michael Barrett
Genres
History , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Temple About?

The premise of Temple without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Set in 1920s London, the story follows two roommates, Rehal and Arul, as they grapple with personal identity and the lingering effects of colonialism. Rehal harbors an unrequited love for Arul, which fuels a growing sense of unease and foreboding. The film is a haunting exploration of queer experience, delving into the secrets and hidden desires that shape their lives and the shadows of the past that surround them.

Temple Themes & Keywords

· 35 tags
  • children
  • japan
  • temple
  • video camera
  • jungle
  • jungle adventure
  • tourist
  • boy
  • boyfriend girlfriend relationship
  • one word title
  • murder
  • friend
+23 more
  • lost in the woods
  • left for dead
  • book
  • old woman
  • curse
  • american
  • crying man
  • violence
  • friendship
  • club
  • brunette
  • able to see the dead
  • escape
  • travel
  • black eyed
  • lens flare
  • evil
  • evil spirit
  • monster
  • yokai
  • kitsune
  • tokusatsu
  • asian woman
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Cast & crew

Temple Cast & Characters

Naoto Takenaka leads the cast as Ryo, with Asahi Uchida as Ittoku and Natalia Warner as Kate. Directed by Michael Barrett; 5 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Temple

· 1 more
Ratings

Temple Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Temple 23 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 3.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 36/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (20).

36 /100

Temple Echo Score Breakdown

The film’s overall execution is hampered by its thin narrative and lack of emotional engagement despite competent visual work. Critics and viewers note that the script remains opaque and underdeveloped, offering few insights into its central mystery. Characters receive minimal depth and evoke little sympathy, which combined with uneven pacing leaves the viewer disconnected. While the visual craftsmanship provides occasional mood, the net impression is of an incomplete and unsatisfying experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    Visual craftsmanship emerges as the film’s strongest asset. In terms of cinematography, several commentators praise well-composed shots and atmospheric framing. The direction capitalizes on authentic Japanese locales, creating mood through framing and composition. Production design and editing maintain a coherent visual tone even when narrative elements falter. Overall, the art and craft serve as a consistent highlight amid broader weaknesses.

  • Character & Emotion 30

    Character development is a significant weakness throughout the film. When it comes to emotional resonance, reviewers repeatedly mention a lack of sympathy or investment in the protagonists. Acting performances are uneven, with only a few supporting players offering credible portrayals while lead roles remain one-dimensional. The superficial treatment of relationships and motivations prevents meaningful chemistry. In sum, characters fail to connect or drive audience engagement.

  • Story & Flow 25

    The story structure proves to be a central flaw in this production. In terms of plot coherence, critics describe an opaque script that builds minimal tension and leaves narrative gaps. Pacing is uneven, with protracted setup followed by a rushed final act and an abrupt, unresolved conclusion. Originality is limited, relying on familiar horror tropes without substantive payoff. Ultimately, the storyline lacks clarity and fails to sustain engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 45

    Sensory elements deliver mixed results across the production. Regarding visual style, there is consistent praise for moody cinematography and authentic location work. In contrast, sound design and scoring receive criticism for clumsy transitions and minimal atmospheric support. The film offers few genuine scares or suspenseful beats, undermining tension. While some sequences showcase visual cohesion, the overall sensory impact remains uneven and sporadically engaging.

  • Rewatch Factor 20

    Replay value is notably low for this feature. With limited narrative satisfaction and abrupt resolution, viewers find little incentive for subsequent viewings. The lack of memorable scares or character moments means the film offers few new discoveries on repeat watches. Ambiguity and unfinished threads further diminish lasting appeal. In conclusion, the movie struggles to provide enduring enjoyment or reasons to revisit beyond its initial viewing.

Plot

Temple Plot Summary

What happens in Temple from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In Japan, a professor Naoto Takenaka as Ryo and his interpreter Asahi Uchida question a wounded and bandaged man. The tension in the room thickens as their questions go unanswered, and when the professor starts a videotape, the man’s memories flash back to a time before he was injured, hinting at a history that links present danger to the past.

Full summary

The whole story of Temple, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Temple Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Temple.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Temple?

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 the university student studying comparative religion?

Cars

Cars in Temple

2 cars on screen: the Toyota Crown Sedan and the 1999 Suzuki Carry.

  • Toyota Crown Sedan in Temple Toyota Crown Sedan Minor role
  • 1999 Suzuki Carry in Temple 1999 Suzuki Carry Background role
Details

Temple Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “Temple 2017” and “Храм”.

Also known as
  • Temple 2017
  • Храм
  • O Templo
  • Ναός
  • 鬼庙
  • 兇山神社
  • Templom
  • 더 템플
  • 凶山神社
  • 神庙
  • מקדש
  • Tapınak
+1 more
  • ホーンテッドテンプル 顔のない男の記録

Seen Temple?

FAQ

Temple FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Temple, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Temple?

Temple runs 1 hour 18 minutes (78 minutes).

When was Temple released?

Temple was released on September 1, 2017.

Who directed Temple?

Temple was directed by Michael Barrett.

More films by Michael Barrett

Who is in the cast of Temple?

Temple stars Naoto Takenaka as Ryo, Asahi Uchida as Ittoku and Natalia Warner as Kate, among 5 credited actors.

How is Temple rated?

Temple has 3.7/10 on IMDb, 23 on Metacritic, 39% on TMDB and 1.8/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Temple have a post-credit scene?

No. Temple has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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