What Is The Temp About?
The premise of The Temp in 279 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a sleek Portland bakery turned corporate battlefield, Peter Derns has just stepped back into the office after a stint in a clinic for his paranoia. Recently divorced and juggling fatherhood, he returns to find his beloved baked‑goods company subsumed by a massive global food conglomerate, its once‑steady culture now reshaped by cost‑cutting mandates and relentless ambition. His new superior, Charlene Towne, exerts pressure for immediate results, setting a tone of high stakes and razor‑thin margins that forces Peter to reevaluate his place in the reorganized hierarchy.
With his longtime assistant unavailable, the firm introduces a striking temporary secretary, Kris Bolin, whose résumé boasts a Stanford education and an uncanny ability to untangle product puzzles with razor‑sharp wit. She quickly earns Peter’s confidence, offering a blend of professionalism and intrigue that both eases and complicates his navigation of the corporate maze. As the office settles into a rhythm of demanding deadlines, a series of unsettling incidents begin to surface, hinting that the pursuit of promotion may carry hidden costs and that not everything is as orderly as the polished storefront suggests.
The film drifts between the sterile sheen of boardroom strategy and the undercurrent of personal ambition, painting a world where loyalty is tested and every promotion feels both a triumph and a potential trap. Within this environment, Peter and Kris must balance the lure of advancement against the whisper of doubt that lingers in every corridor. Their uneasy alliance, set against the backdrop of a company in flux, invites the audience to wonder how far one will go to secure a coveted title when the line between success and sacrifice blurs beneath the humming ovens and polished glass.
What Happens in The Temp?
The complete story of The Temp, from the first scene to the last, in 768 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Peter Derns, [Timothy Hutton], is a recently divorced father and a high‑level executive at a Portland baked goods company who has just been released from a clinic after treatment for paranoia. On his first day back, he discovers the business has been swallowed by a major global food conglomerate intent on cutting costs and reshaping the corporate ladder. His relentless boss, Charlene Towne, [Faye Dunaway], demands a full product report by the following day, setting a tense tone for what lies ahead. With his personal assistant Lance, [Scott Coffey], unavailable, Peter frets about meeting the impossible deadline. Fortunately, the firm introduces a temp worker, the striking Kris Bolin, [Lara Flynn Boyle], described as a Stanford graduate who quickly wins Peter over by solving product issues and proving herself fiercely loyal and sharp‑witted.
Kris’s arrival reshapes the dynamic at the office as she earns Peter’s trust and helps navigate the new corporate terrain. At the same time, a chilling pattern emerges: a succession of tragic “accidents” befalling colleagues. Lance is maimed by a paper shredder, forcing him into a lengthy hiatus; Jack Hartsell, Peter’s workplace rival, is found dead from a wasp sting in a stalled car on the Marquam Bridge; and Roger Jasser, the company’s vice president, is later discovered in his office, dead in what appears to be a suicide. Each grim event seems to be followed by Peter’s unexpected, rapid promotions, leaving him uneasy about the price of advancement.
As Peter begins to question Kris’s choice of a low‑paid temp job given her impressive résumé, Kris explains that she prefers temporary roles to see how she fits within a company and to keep her options open, insisting she hasn’t found the “right fit” yet. A photo on Kris’s desk—of a man and a child—is introduced as her estranged husband, Mark, and daughter, Lizzy, hinting at a hidden past that may hold the key to Kris’s unusual presence in the company.
Peter’s professional life grows increasingly complicated when he resists Kris’s advances, only to find himself targeted by whispers of sabotage that threaten his career. He begins to suspect not only Kris but also his former rival, Brad Montroe, and even Charlene, fearing she may be maneuvering to preserve her own standing. With the help of Sara Meinhold, [Colleen Flynn], another secretary who shares his concerns, Peter digs into Kris’s background and uncovers troubling inconsistencies: Kris never attended Stanford, and her former boss died under mysterious circumstances. Confrontations escalate, Kris denies the allegations, and the office atmosphere tightens as rumors swirl.
The pressure culminates the next morning when Peter is shunned after someone frames him for leaking confidential information. Kris steps forward to take responsibility for the “computer error,” a move that earns Peter a promotion to vice president and Kris a promotion to marketing executive, cementing a dangerous balance of power between them.
Charlene rewards the pair with a weekend retreat at the company bakery. En route, Kris’s brakes are tampered with, si evolving into a night of danger. At the hotel, Peter learns of an emergency back at the bakery: a dead security guard and a disoriented Kris. He is knocked unconscious, and when he comes to, he lurches into the melee on a catwalk where Charlene is seen grappling with Kris. Peter intervenes to prevent Charlene from strangling Kris. In the ensuing struggle, Charlene falls from a plank and hangs from a railing, dying after a final, cryptic utterance.
Months pass, and Peter begins rebuilding his life with his wife, Sharon, and their son, [Daniel C. Swanson], Nathan Derns, while rising to the presidency of the company. In Charlene’s former office, he discovers identical framed photos left behind, a disturbing clue that Rosemary, Charlene’s secretary, [Lin Shaye], explains are stock photos that arrived with the frames. Recollecting Charlene’s last words, Peter realizes she had detected Kris’s duplicity as well. He confronts Kris, accusing her of orchestrating the bakery incident to eliminate Charlene—and perhaps himself. Kris maintains that the photo was a shield to deter unwanted male attention, but Peter sees through the ruse. With no solid proof and surrounded by doubt, he decides to end it: he fires Kris and orders her detention until the police can escort her from the premises, bringing a troubling chapter to a close.
“The picture”
In the aftermath, the company’s future remains uncertain, but Peter’s personal life begins to mend as he steels himself for the challenges of leadership. He remains wary of the manipulative forces Kris represented, guiding the company forward while grappling with the moral ambiguities of power, loyalty, and trust within a cutthroat corporate world.
The Temp Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Peter returns to a reshaped company” to “Months later: Peter rises and exposes Kris”. 13 events name a place, across 10 locations.
- 1
Peter returns to a reshaped company
On his first day back from treatment, Peter finds the baked goods company has been taken over by a major food conglomerate. Charlene Towne, his ruthless boss, demands a complete report by the next day and signals sweeping cutbacks. The new corporate pressure leaves him anxious about meeting an impossible deadline.
When:Day 1, morning Where:Portland, Oregon – company office
- 2
Kris arrives as a temp assistant
The company assigns Kris Bolin as a temporary worker to help with the looming deadline. She quickly resolves product issues and proves relentlessly loyal and quick-witted. Peter starts to warm to her as a capable ally in a hostile corporate environment.
When:Day 1 Where:Portland, Oregon – company office
- 3
A series of accidents begins
Unsettling accidents start piling up around the office. Lance is maimed by a paper shredder and forced to take extended leave. The muttered whispers of foul play begin to shadow Peter as the incidents escalate.
When:Days after Day 1 Where:Portland, Oregon – company office
- 4
Jack Hartsell dies on the Marquam Bridge
Peter's rival Jack Hartsell is found dead from a wasp sting in his stalled car on the Marquam Bridge. The death appears suspicious and fuels a sense that danger surrounds the company. The incident deepens Peter's sense that something is deeply wrong with the corporate machinations around him.
When:A few days after Lance's accident Where:Marquam Bridge, Portland
- 5
Roger Jasser's apparent suicide
Vice President Roger Jasser is found hanging in his office in an apparent suicide. The sudden loss compounds the perception of peril in the company. Peter begins to feel that sabotage is closing in on him from within the organization.
When:Later that week Where:Company office – Portland
- 6
Promotions follow the deaths
With each death, Peter receives an unearned promotion within the company, inflating his authority. Kris remains a loyal ally, quietly influencing decisions behind the scenes. The string of successes heightens Peter's paranoia and sense of being manipulated.
When:Over the succession of incidents Where:Portland – company offices
- 7
Kris explains why she took the temp job
In a candid conversation, Kris explains she prefers temp roles to see how she fits within a corporation and that she has not yet found the 'right fit.' She also reveals a photo of a man and child on her desk, hinting at a personal history. Peter remains wary but is drawn to her loyalty nonetheless.
When:During early investigations Where:Office – Portland
- 8
Peter investigates Kris's past
Peter enlists Sara Meinhold to help dig into Kris's past. He discovers that Kris's former boss died mysteriously and that Kris never attended Stanford. The discoveries challenge his trust and push him toward a confrontation.
When:During investigation Where:Office – records room
- 9
Confrontation and a public shunning
Peter confronts Kris with his findings, but she denies the accusations. The next morning, someone frames him for leaking confidential information, and he is shunned by colleagues. Kris finally takes responsibility for the 'computer error,' enabling Peter to be promoted to vice president while she becomes marketing executive.
When:The following day Where:Office – Portland
- 10
Weekend retreat to the bakery
Charlene sends Peter and Kris on a weekend retreat to the company's bakery. En route, Kris's brakes are tampered with, signaling more danger. The trip ends with a sense that nothing is as it seems and a warning of Charlene's influence.
When:Weekend retreat, shortly after the promotion Where:Portland – en route to bakery
Show the other 3 events of The Temp Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Emergency at the bakery and assault
After checking into the hotel near the bakery, Peter receives an urgent message about a problem at the bakery. They arrive to find a dead security guard and Kris with a mild concussion. Peter is knocked unconscious by an unseen assailant, heightening the danger around the retreat.
When:Following arrival at the retreat Where:Bakery facility and hotel, Portland
- 12
Charlene confronts Kris on the catwalk
In a chaotic confrontation on a catwalk, Peter intervenes to stop Charlene from strangling Kris. Charlene falls from a plank and dies, uttering the words 'The picture' as a final clue. Peter realizes Kris's duplicity, but cannot prove it at that moment.
When:During the melee Where:Bakery facility – catwalk
- 13
Months later: Peter rises and exposes Kris
Months later, Peter has rebuilt his life and becomes president of the company. He discovers identical framed photos left behind; Rosemary, Charlene's secretary, explains the frames contain stock photos. Realizing Kris's manipulation, Peter fires her and has her detained until the police can escort her out, acknowledging he cannot prove her guilt earlier.
When:Months later Where:Portland – company headquarters
Who Are the Main Characters in The Temp?
11 characters, among them Peter Derns (Timothy Hutton), Charlene Towne (Faye Dunaway) and Kris Bolin (Lara Flynn Boyle): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Peter Derns (Timothy Hutton)
Played by Timothy Hutton
A recently divorced father and baked-goods executive who returns to a shocked company after treatment for paranoia. He navigates mounting professional pressure as the conglomerate takeover unfolds, and his suspicions about Kris deepen. Peter’s drive to protect his career ultimately collides with the ethical boundaries of those around him.
- 💼 Corporate
- 🧠 Paranoid
- 🧭 Ambitious
-
Charlene Towne (Faye Dunaway)
Played by Faye Dunaway
A ruthless executive who uses manipulation and crises to cement her own ascent. She pressures Peter and plays rivals against each other to safeguard her position. Charlene embodies the ruthless, calculating face of corporate power.
- 💼 Power
- 🗡️ Manipulation
- 🧠 Calculating
-
Kris Bolin (Lara Flynn Boyle)
Played by Lara Flynn Boyle
A seemingly loyal temp who reveals herself as a master manipulator with a calculated, sociopathic streak. She uses personal details and staged scenarios to influence Peter and others. Kris’s presence destabilizes the office as a series of deadly ambiguities follow.
- 💼 Deception
- 🧠 Sociopathy
- 🤝 Charm
- L(
Lance (Scott Coffey)
Played by Scott Coffey
Peter’s loyal assistant whose availability is compromised by a workplace accident. He becomes collateral damage in the drive for results, illustrating the human cost of corporate politics. His mishap foreshadows the dangerous climate surrounding promotions.
- 💼 Assistant
- 🧱 Accident
- ⚠️ Risk
-
Jack Hartsell (Oliver Platt)
Played by Oliver Platt
A workplace rival whose death from a mysterious cause triggers Peter’s rise. His end underscores the brutal cost of competition and the lengths some will go to eliminate rivals. He embodies the perilous climate of corporate intrigue.
- 💼 Rival
- ⚠️ Danger
- 🧠 Suspect
-
Roger Jasser (Dwight Schultz)
Played by Dwight Schultz
The vice president whose apparent suicide reveals the depth of power struggles at the company. His death signals the high stakes and the precarious position executives occupy. Roger’s fate marks a turning point in Peter’s ascent.
- 💼 Executive
- ⚖️ Pressure
- 🕯️ Tragedy
- SM
Sara Meinhold (Colleen Flynn)
Played by Colleen Flynn
A secretary who investigates Kris’s past and helps Peter uncover the truth behind the temp’s manipulations. Her curiosity and diligence make her a crucial ally in navigating the office’s web of secrets. She represents the informed insider who challenges corporate deceit.
- 🗂️ Secretary
- 🧭 Investigator
- 🧠 Ally
-
Rosemary (Lin Shaye)
Played by Lin Shaye
Charlene’s secretary who reveals the true nature of the frames with stock photos, providing a key clue. She embodies the quiet observer who uncovers hidden truths beneath polished surfaces. Rosemary’s insight helps Peter see through the deception.
- 🗂️ Secretary
- 🧠 Informant
- 👁️ Insight
-
Sharon Derns (Maura Tierney)
Played by Maura Tierney
Peter’s wife who supports him as his career and family life become entangled with the office drama. She anchors Peter’s humanity amid manipulation and represents the personal stakes outside the corporate arena. Sharon reminds Peter of what he’s risking for his career.
- 👪 Family
- 💼 Balance
- 🧭 Support
-
Brad Montroe (Steven Weber)
Played by Steven Weber
Peter’s former rival from a competing company who reappears, arousing suspicion of sabotage. Brad adds external pressure and competition to the internal power struggle. He embodies the persistent threats that accompany corporate warfare.
- 💼 Rival
- 🕵️ Suspicion
- 🔄 Return
- ND
Nathan Derns (Daniel C. Swanson)
Played by Daniel C. Swanson
Peter and Sharon’s son, who embodies the personal stakes of the corporate world’s power games. His presence grounds Peter and reminds him of the life he fights to protect. Nathan underscores the human costs of career-driven decisions.
- 👶 Family
- 🏠 Home
- 💗 Love
Where and When Is The Temp Set?
The Temp is set in Portland and Oregon. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The events unfold within a contemporary corporate environment, reflecting modern office culture and the brutal dynamics of corporate takeovers. The narrative emphasizes promotions, restructurings, and office intrigue typical of late 20th-century business life. It presents a present-day aura of power plays rather than a historical period piece.
Where
Portland, Oregon
Set in Portland, Oregon, the story centers on a baked goods company that is absorbed by a large conglomerate. The city provides a backdrop of sleek offices, production floors, and the competitive atmosphere of a modern corporate environment. The local setting underscores the clash between small-operations identity and large-scale corporate ambition.
- 🌆 Urban setting
- 🏢 Corporate power plays
- 🥖 Bakery culture
What Are the Themes of The Temp?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Power & Manipulation, Ethics & Ambition and Paranoia & Trust.
-
01
Power & Manipulation
The central tension revolves around control of information and who can be trusted. Peter’s rise is mirrored by Kris’s calculated ascent, revealing how appearances of competence can mask ulterior motives. The film examines how loyalty, fear, and perception are weaponized to secure promotion and status. Deception becomes a tool for climbing the corporate ladder.
-
02
Ethics & Ambition
Charismatic leadership clashes with ethical boundaries as characters pursue advancement at any cost. The company’s ruthlessness presses Peter to choose between professional success and moral integrity. The story questions whether results justify deceit, cover-ups, and harm to colleagues. Ambition is examined within a moral framework, highlighting its costs.
-
03
Paranoia & Trust
Peter becomes convinced that others are sabotaging him, triggering suspicion and self-doubt. The line between ally and adversary blurs as hidden agendas emerge. The plot toys with gaslighting and misdirection, keeping the audience uncertain about who is manipulating whom. Trust is continually negotiated in the high-stakes office world.
-
04
Secrets & Deception
Hidden motives and carefully staged incidents drive the narrative. The infamous stock-photo frames and Kris’s manipulation serve as symbols of deception. The revelation of certain 'truths' hinges on uncovering who benefits from each strategic move. The film hinges on peeling back facades to expose real intent.
What Kind of Film Is The Temp?
Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A tense and paranoid corporate thriller that creates a consistently anxious atmosphere as a man suspects his dangerously ambitious temp secretary is orchestrating a series of fatal 'accidents' to fuel his rise to power.
- suspenseful
- anxious
- paranoid
- unsettling
- ruthless
- cold
- corporate thriller
- psychological manipulation
- workplace danger
- power and ambition
Content notes: murder, suicide, workplace death, psychological manipulation.
Quiz
How well do you remember The Temp? Test yourself on the story.
