Temple

Temple

Year: 2017

Runtime: 78 min

Language: English

Director: Michael Barrett

Echo Score: 36
HistoryHorror

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.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Temple (2017)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Temple (2017). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day

The events unfold in modern-day Japan, combining contemporary travel and communication with timeless folklore. Scenes shift between hotels, bars, bookstores, and the temple, creating a sense of immediacy. A videotaped confession and flashbacks hint at a past event that continues to haunt the characters.

Location

Japan, temple in a village near an abandoned mine, bookstore and hotel in urban areas

The action spans urban Japan and a rural setting around a legendary temple. Key locations include a small village with an ominous mine, a distant temple guarded by a kitsune statue, a local bookstore that triggers the journey, and a hotel where the group's tensions surface. These sites tie local folklore to the contemporary travel narrative, guiding the protagonists through mystery and danger.

🗺️ Travel 🏯 Temple 📚 Bookstore

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:49

Main Characters – Temple (2017)

Meet the key characters of Temple (2017), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ryo (Naoto Takenaka)

A professor who, with his interpreter, questions a wounded man and pieces together a murky past. He remains analytical and persistent, using questioning and a videotape to uncover the truth. His calm, methodical approach contrasts with the escalating dread around him.

🎓 Academia 🗺️ Travel 🧭 Mystery

Christopher (Logan Huffman)

Kate's friend who speaks some Japanese and acts as translator for the group. He is haunted by his brother's loss and becomes increasingly unsettled by strange encounters. His perspective drives much of the mystery, and his memories threaten to blur the line between witness and participant.

🧭 Translator 🧠 Curious 🕵️‍♂️ Investigator

James (Brandon Sklenar)

Kate's boyfriend, initially pragmatic but unsettled by the trip and Kate's closeness with Chris. He reacts with skepticism and jealousy, ultimately facing a brutal fate in the mine as the mystery closes in. His presence adds emotional tension to the group's decisions.

💑 Partner 🗡️ Tragic 🤔 Skeptic

Ittoku (Asahi Uchida)

The interpreter who helps the group navigate local customs and language. His role highlights cultural misunderstandings and the tension between rational inquiry and folkloric rumor. He serves as a link between the scholars and the villagers.

🗣️ Interpreter 🧭 Cultural bridge 🌫️ Atmosphere

Kate (Natalia Warner)

A university student studying comparative religion who is drawn to the temple image in folklore. She initiates the temple visit and becomes a focal point for the group's conflicts and discoveries. Her choices—about relationships and secrets—drive the emotional arc of the story.

🎓 Student 🗺️ Explorer 💫 Belief

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:49

Major Themes – Temple (2017)

Explore the central themes of Temple (2017), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔎 Mystery

A central thread is the unraveling of a legendary temple's omens and the surrounding folklore. The group confronts ambiguous signs, haunting visions, and uncertain memories that blur the line between reality and myth.

💔 Grief

Chris carries the weight of his brother's death, shaping his reactions to the supernatural events. Kate's actions and choices also reflect personal loss and the burden of secrets.

🦊 Folklore vs Reality

The kitsune myth and village legends intrude into the present, forcing characters to question what is real. The film juxtaposes ancient belief with contemporary suspicion, creating tension between superstition and perception.

⚖️ Trust & Paranoia

As loyalties shift, characters question each other's motives and truthfulness. The group dynamic becomes a battleground for trust, with fear driving misinterpretations and dangerous choices.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:49

Unlock the Full Story of Temple

Don't stop at just watching — explore Temple in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Temple is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Temple Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Temple, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Temple Summary

Temple Timeline

Track the full timeline of Temple with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Temple Timeline

Temple Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Temple that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Temple Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Temple

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Temple: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Temple

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