Temple

Year: 2017

Runtime: 78 min

Language: English

Director: Michael Barrett

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.

Temple (2017) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Temple (2017) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the fog‑laden streets of 1920s London, the city itself feels like a living relic, its soot‑blackened alleys and grand, weathered institutions whispering of an empire that still clings to its former glory. Within this world of tea‑rooms and soot‑capped rooftops, the everyday bustle masks a deeper, quieter pulse of longing and unspoken history. The film’s atmosphere is both intimate and haunting, blending the muted elegance of the era with an undercurrent of unease that suggests the past is never truly buried.

The story centers on two roommates sharing a cramped flat above a bustling market. Rehal, a thoughtful and introspective soul, wrestles with a yearning that borders on the forbidden, his affection for his companion casting shadows over his everyday life. Across from him, Arul carries the weight of his own heritage, navigating the lingering dissonance of a colonial legacy that colors every interaction, from the way strangers glance to the expectations placed upon him by family and society. Their bond is a fragile tapestry woven from friendship, suppressed desire, and the constant negotiation of identity in a world that offers little room for nuance.

Together, they navigate the social salons, dimly lit pubs, and the austere halls of academia, each setting highlighting the tension between outward conformity and inner truth. The city’s architecture—stately Georgian facades juxtaposed with cramped tenements—mirrors their inner conflict: the grandeur of an imperial past and the cramped reality of personal revelation. As they move through crowded streets and quiet moments behind closed doors, an ever‑present sense of foreboding lingers, hinting at secrets that could unravel both their lives and the fragile stability of their world.

The film balances melancholy with fleeting moments of quiet hope, allowing the audience to feel the weight of history pressing against the softness of newfound affection. It is a meditation on how love, memory, and the ghosts of empire intertwine, inviting viewers to linger in the gray spaces between what is spoken and what is left unsaid.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 16:53

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Psychological Supernatural Siege movies like Temple

Characters are trapped and tormented by a relentless supernatural force linked to past sins.If you liked the intense survival horror and psychological breakdown in Temple, explore more movies where characters are besieged by a vengeful supernatural force. These films often feature groups tested by a curse, a claustrophobic setting, and a bleak outcome, creating a similar sense of foreboding and inevitable doom.

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Stories in this thread begin with a group entering a place marked by a dark history. A supernatural entity, often tied to a specific past crime or curse, becomes active, trapping the characters. The threat escalates steadily, forcing secrets into the open and testing loyalties, ultimately leading to a high-stakes survival scenario with tragic consequences.

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Bleak Queer Gothic horror films similar to Temple

Haunting stories where queer desire and identity are shrouded in repression and supernatural dread.For viewers who appreciated Temple's exploration of queer identity and unrequited love within a tense, historical horror framework, this section highlights similar movies. These stories blend themes of repressed desire, cultural or societal shadows, and a pervasive sense of dread, often culminating in tragic or bittersweet outcomes.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern centers on characters grappling with queer identity in a hostile or unaccepting world, frequently a repressive historical setting. Secrets and desires fuel a growing tension, which is amplified by a gothic atmosphere—a haunted house, a cursed legacy, or a general sense of decay. The story unfolds with a steady, deliberate pace, leading to an emotionally heavy conclusion that underscores the cost of repression.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are united by their fusion of queer themes with gothic horror sensibilities. They share a specific mood: tense, melancholic, and foreboding, driven by the conflict between personal truth and external pressure. The pacing is often steady, allowing the psychological unease and atmospheric dread to build towards a consequential, typically heavy-hearted ending.

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