Temple (2017) User Reviews

So where is the rest of the film?

[FlashCallahan · 4/10 · 15 January 2018]

Three American tourists use a mysterious map to find an ancient temple deep in the jungles of Japan.

Their adventure soon turns into a nightmare when malevolent spirits trap them inside..........

So the film starts with an interrogation scene featuring someone in a germ safe wheelchair. They are asked to look at some 'found footage' and then the narrative begins.

Temple had the makings of another perfectly perfunctory found footage movie, but the makers decided to turn this into more of a J-Horror, and the first act is very interesting, there is clearly tension between the two males regarding their mutual ward, but as soon as we reach their destination, that's almost forgotten about, albeit a little argument toward the end.

The problem is that the film doesn't hide anything up its sleeve, and any horror veteran would know the little boy is just apparition as soon as he is first introduced.

Then night comes and......... not much happens really. We see something paranormal, then we go back to the interrogation scene, and this takes you away from the main narrative, especially when you realise the person they are questioning was fluent in Japanese all along.

But the biggest flaw in the film is the ending. Much like The Devil Inside, it just ends, with no real conclusion and it appears that all loose ends remain untied.

It had potential, but as soon as they reach the titular place, it falls apart.

It's an unlucky place.

[nogodnomasters · 5/10 · 12 September 2017]

The film starts with a survivor of a tragedy in a wheel chair telling a story of what happened, including the parts when he wasn't there.

Kate (Natalia Warner) wants to film rural Shinto and Buddhist temples as part of her research. Her boyfriend James (Brandon Sklenar) comes with her as well as her lifelong friend Chris (Logan Huffman). It takes 30 minutes for them to get to the remote evil temple with a murdered monk, missing children, protected by shapeshifters. Then it takes another 30 minutes for something to happen.

The drama aspect of this horror film was fairly good. It had the makings of something decent. They made it clear they didn't know how to end the feature, so they just left a confusing mess.

Guide: sex scene. No swearing or nudity

Temple: More than a bit of a mess

[Platypuschow · 3/10 · 31 May 2018]

So three friends travel to Japan and go visit a temple that all the locals warn them against going near. Folks never learn do they, if the locals say stay the hell away then *Drumroll* stay the hell away.

Character development was spot on from the outset so I expected something a bit better. Instead the movie plods along up until the half way point and then turns to crap.

It all falls apart to such an extent that it becomes almost unwatchable. Our heroes arrive at the titular temple and well I'm sure you can pretty much work that one out for yourself.

The end has an ambiguous "Twist" but that does nothing to save the movie from its fate as a mediocre mess.

The Good:

Beginning is interesting enough

The Bad:

Loses steam at around the half way mark

Ultimately is just an all round mess

Things I Learnt From This Movie:

If folks listened to the warnings of the locals these movies might actually be better

A better title for this movie would have been Friendzone, scary stuff

Its pretty bad.

[MonsterVision99 · 2/10 · 12 September 2017]

Its pretty bad.

Temple isn't scary, suspenseful nor is it interesting, and its probably one of the worst movies of the year.

Its quite a messy movie, its all over the place in terms of storytelling and tone. It doesn't even feel like a complete movie, just when you think something interesting may happen the movie ends abruptly, which is a relief considering how painfully awful it is.

Boring, uninteresting, predictable and absurd.

Another example of wasted potential

[Leofwine_draca · 4/10 · 11 March 2018]

American filmmakers seem to have a huge problem with making horror films set in Japan, despite the attraction of the country and the wealth of folklore and atmosphere it brings with it. First we had the disappointment of THE FOREST with Natalie Dormer, and now this film. It sees a trio of young people heading off to Japan to research temples as part of a thesis, filming segments for their video blog along the way. The first half of the story is all set up and has a handful of eerie moments which work rather well. The performances are routine but there's an air of mystery surrounding the characters which makes you interested in them. Sadly, the second half falls apart in an aimless array of CGI ghost scares and too-dark photography, as the friends end up stranded in the wood with sinister forces at work. You've seen it all before from this point on and it becomes a huge disappointment.

There are better films for you to waste your time watching

[Meckiezinha · 2/10 · 6 September 2017]

Three American tourists (that create a love triangle) decide to visit a temple located at the forest of a small Japanese village, because one of the tourists (Kate) is studying religion and its traditions.

All well, seems like a decent plot and overall the acting (especially from the Japanese actors) is quite good. Except for the actress who played Kate, her acting skills need to improve... a lot.

Well-shot, with a good scenery of Japanese rural landscape.

Unfortunately the plot is very weak, there's no tension and the last 10 minutes seem rushed and quite confusing.

Could've been a good one but it was a waste of my time.

Expected much more

[ArisMichael · 2/10 · 1 September 2017]

The film had beautiful photography direction, but the plot was unacceptable. It is literally a composition of erratic and incoherent plot points. The transition between these points was rather 'normal' in the beginning. However, there was such a lot of time invested in it, that the middle point was extremely rushed. I have never watched a movie that does not have an end. This film had a beginning and a middle - it lacked a denouement.

Natalia Warner's performance was atrocious. All she did was smile exaggeratedly in a tone that was quite reminiscent of a valley girl (without the 'oh my god's). There was a lot of subtlety in the feelings she had to convey, and not once was I convinced that I was seeing her as her character.

Brandon Sklenar, on the other hand, was promising, but he was purely decorative thanks to the predictability of his role. For such a small cast, that had a strong impact.

Character development was nonexistent. A group of three is in Japan and they decide to go a temple. We only know why they are there. That is pretty much it. Next thing we know is a repressed passion surfacing - though it was pretty evident from the first scenes.

Additionally, the sound effects were clumsily put together and did not have any fade-ins and fade-outs.

Finally, the Japanese cast was far superior to the American, but Logan Huffman's performance was acceptable, albeit constantly wearing a face in which he looked lost. I suspect this was a direction issue.

I always tell myself that even a bad movie will have something memorable and will be able to evoke some thoughts or feelings. Now, I do not consider this a bad movie, simply far from being a complete piece. As such, I am not sure what the takeaway is.

When cinematographers direct

[horrorgasm · 3 September 2017]

Oh wow guys. This represents Western ignorance? Man, that's deep. I know I've sure never seen a horror movie before where young American idiots ignored piles of blatant warning signs and got themselves killed in the woods by supernatural forces of evil. Thank goodness this brought Japan in to teach us this valuable lesson, especially since they're known for being so respectful of other cultures. Hur hur.

Forget about that though. Let's talk about how this movie is only 78 minutes long and is made up of about 63 minutes of build-up (and credits), leaving only around 15 minutes of jumbled, unsatisfying, lukewarm horror.

Let's talk about the fact that this movie has to promote itself by trying to invoke the names of more popular movies like You're Next and Blair Witch, but if you actually look at the credits you'll find that this was only written by the same writer of those, and was actually directed by that guy's brother who has nothing but cinematography credits to his name.

Makes sense though, doesn't it? The one positive thing I can say about this is it was certainly a well-shot film. Other than that though, it's an empty waste of time. Nothing but sightseeing shots and filler.

sad so sad

[mrzouz · 1/10 · 26 January 2018]

This movie had great potentials. it looks like a typical Japanese thriller which is great, and cinematography is good but that's where the fun ends. the acting was dreadful. Kate was so out of character and flat. Chris was okaying , so is the boyfriend. the story though lost it's closure. and no this is not the typical way of Japanese thriller. they leave a mystery but don't simply cut the story right when you think something is going to finally happen. the end is terrible and confusing. you don't know who killed who, why did Chris attacked the translator and did he escape or what happened to him. is there a ghost or is it only Chris. what happened to the children. was the monk bad or good. why would Kate decide to look for her bf in a mine while he was going to town. more and more questions that we needed to know but the film makers were so tired maybe and decided to end it prematurally. forget about all those fake 10&9 stars rate. there is no end and that's really terrible.

Stay a while and worship. Or go find something more entertaining. Your choice...

[paul_haakonsen · 4/10 · 9 June 2018]

I had initially expected somewhat more from this horror movie, and I must admit that I was rather disappointed with the overall result of what the movie turned out to be.

The story told in "Temple" was pretty straight forward, although it didn't offer anything to the horror genre that hasn't already been done or seen in other horror movies.

The movie was surprisingly devoid of anything even remotely scary or impressive, and it just lulled itself into a tranquil pace that made it lose all momentum and drive. And it didn't help much that the characters were one-dimensional drones that served no purpose. This reflected badly on the actors and actresses, as they had surprisingly little to work with. Logan Huffman actually managed to perform somewhat adequately and keep the movie afloat.

If you enjoy a good horror movie, then this joined American and Japanese effort is not the best of choices to put your time and money.

Total Nonsense

[metz-jewlla · 1/10 · 8 January 2021]

I ignored the other warnings as I thought it must be ok if Netflix have picked it up. I was wrong. Please listen and Do literally anything else than watch this pile of incoherent nonsense.

Typical Fantastic Japanese Mystery Horror based on Folklore

[goddess_of_christmas · 9/10 · 2 September 2017]

It seems white people are stereotyped with their "stubborn" attitude towards suggestion from people. Despite the warning from the local for not visiting this certain temple in the middle of nowhere, they still went there for curiosity.

Excellent movie for the story line. Japanese really know how to develop absolute "mystery" feel to their horror. It seems there is no real ending but there actually is. The revealed fact that there is no boy and he was just one of the missing kids. The woman who kept being trapped inside the cave. The only no ending is that we don't know where Chris escaped after the interrogation with local detective and after he killed the interpreter.

Though I doubt that he killed the other man even if the video showed it. i feel the monster is a type of Shape Shifter or something (maybe this is the unclear one). What I don't like is that everything is in the dark, you can't really see anything clear except when they were using the torch. 9/10 for the story.

The reviews were more of a shock!

[barry-587-897538 · 7/10 · 2 September 2017]

I was blown away by how many people found this confusing, incomplete and not executed well!

It's a very simple story and told in a very simple way (not all over the place!). It excels in its cinematography and carries through from beginning to end in typical Asian thriller/horror style. If anything i would say it was more 'cookie- cutter' of many other films.

It isn't a deep philosophical movie with riveting plot line and award winning dialog, the acting wasn't contrived and out of place, all cast fit their roles well.

If you follow the dialog the story is knitted together quite well. Having said that, it is a 'simple horror flick' layered on top of Japanese spirit myth, can't understand why it got such a low rating.

Actors making bad choices playing characters making bad choices.

[lilykfujimoto · 1/10 · 3 September 2017]

Well what can I say about this idiot's delight... You can say what you want about this being a subtle treatment about western ignorance, but that doesn't make it a good movie. And looking at the trailer I don't think that's what the intent was. The vapidness of the characters, I believe, stems from a rushed movie with bad acting. The dialogue is simply disrespectful to the audience. For example, when trying to buy the journal, the clerk and Chris 'the interpreter' have a back-and-forth in Japanese. But when the clerk finally says, 'Not for sale' IN English Chris turns to Kate and, with no hint of irony dutifully says, 'She says it's not for sale.' Wow. And it goes on an on... I see that this isn't even a Simon Barrett script. He's disavowed the writer credit, and wrote an interesting statement in warning to other writers that I suggest giving a read. Lastly, one thing that really bothers me. On Logan Huffman's Instagram account, the DAY AFTER the movie was released, he posted himself in the make-up chair prepping for his scenes as 'the patient.' That an actor is so entitled to reveal (the only) intriguing plot- point for his own personal click-bait just sums up the string of bad decisions made by unprofessional actors in this train wreck. This movie is awful, the actors are awful. The one bright point is Japan is beautiful. They couldn't go wrong there, they just did with everything else.

Very boring

[t-jensen79 · 3/10 · 5 December 2017]

Expect around 15 mins of action/"scary things" to happen in this film - the rest is boring and mostly meaningless

It's a beautiful scenery but that's the only good thing, I have to say about this movie.

And omg... There wasn't a boy???? I could have told you that the first time we met him in the store...

Big Disappointment

[mojoguzzi-879-68498 · 2/10 · 19 September 2017]

This is a far cry from Simon Barrett's work with Adam Wingard. A running time of 78 minutes would be okay if those minutes were packed with meat, but this bone is padded with empty fat calories.

The storyline is like a stretched out short story. Character development is minimal. The payoff is pathetic. The camera work is nice during the set-up scenes in the city and daylight but once the "scary" stuff starts we are literally in the dark, annoyingly so, for long stretches with whatever is finally happening taking place in short bursts in near pitch darkness. One major "surprise" is obvious right from its initial setup.

If you think you're in the mood for this, I'd recommend watching The Forest instead, even if you've already seen it.

waste of time

[arosu-95166 · 1/10 · 10 April 2020]

Pretty actors but ugly movie, nothing to remember about it.

Just Plain AWFUL!

[dcarsonhagy · 1/10 · 1 September 2017]

I just watched another Asian horror film, i.e. "Ghost House" which really creeped the bloomers off me. Surprised by how much I enjoyed that one, I saw this little thing was available On Demand, so I thought I'd give it a try. BIG MISTAKE.

It is almost impossible to state how inept--from top to bottom--this movie is. It is also very hard for me to like any movie where everybody makes every mistake known to man and seems hell-bent on his/her demise. The publicity (as listed by On Demand) is completely false. It states (sic) "three Americans follow a strange man to a temple..." There was NO strange many followed to any temple. They followed a 10-year old boy. Even though they are warned to be sure to be out and away from the temple and the forest before dark, do they listen? Hell no. And it only gets worse after that.

I believe the movie was rated MA (Mature audiences). It has a little language, some laughable images, and horrible acting.

um... ΝΟΟΟΟ

[saskpareki · 2/10 · 5 September 2017]

WHAT A CRAP ENDING... WHY no movie can just make a decent ending and explain the plot? I understood nothing... i don't even know who is alive and who is dead...

It starts OK it develops OK ... but sometime you must explain the audience where all this goes... boring and wasted 1.20 of my life

At Least the Music Was Good😃

[dianawilliams1262 · 4/10 · 20 September 2017]

What got me??? Not the plot, seen it all before. No! It WAS the MUSIC! It had me anticipating, then it was a complete let DOWN😕 It left me with wanting more. Like what happened to the girl? How did the children die? What happen to Chris? Did he have another breakdown? I mean come on now!!!

2* for the beautiful scenery!

[silverbach69 · 2/10 · 1 May 2020]

Unlikable characters go through the by-the-numbers motions.

I'm unsure why the girl spends 15 minutes looking for her boyfriend, when upon finding him seriously injured/mutilated, she immediately proceeds to run away from him into the dark.

By the time you get to the 'twist', you are long past caring.

Terrible movie. Save yourself the time and watch something else.

Not as bad as others think

[edlc1970 · 10/10 · 7 January 2019]

I really dont understand the overall rating of this movie?? So just to be differnt, i am giving it a full rating. It has suspense, good acting and a good plot. I reminds me of the films like Ringu and Ju-on. Not that they are alike, but the feeling i had when i watched those two movies, are the same as watching this one. This film dont deserve the rating it got. It is far better.

Better than the score would have you believe.

[Davidon80 · 7/10 · 13 September 2021]

I'm a sucker for anything Japanese, it's heartening now that there is an emerging genre of U. S made horror movies set in Japan using the much tried and tested fish out of water device and adding the J-Horror signature of spooky jumps, strange children, foreboding music and strange Japanese folk lore to repurpose the old fashioned three young and beautiful idiots go into a forest routine.

These particular idiots make a point of seeking haunted temples, deliberately not heeding massive warning signs and still managing to keep their "ere what's going on here look", all over their beautiful faces. The Japanese setting is crucial to this story, and to be fair the Japanese locales are authentic and serve to add a sense of other worldly menace to the story. You can see that the director knows his Japan, and uses it to extract every ounce of tension.

The acting, as mentioned is good, the actors all keep a straight face, looking suitably jaded and confused as three Americans would if they stumbled into a J-Horror movie, and the director keeps the tension tight, never going too far into silliness, but keeping enough intrigue to make you wonder where this will all lead.

It's a genuine scare flick, with its heart and hand firmly on its chest, with an intriguing premise that really does pull you in. Don't be too put off by the score here, it's much better than the reviews would make you believe.

What?

[twelve-house-books · 1/10 · 24 March 2021]

This isn't Horror, this is stupidity. No story, mediocre acting, and monsters that look like people dressed up in cheap Halloween costumes. Avoid.

So So

[Mymsy · 4/10 · 29 January 2020]

This was a film, that, yet again seemed to have the potential to have been much better. There just seemed to be too many things going on that didn't seem to be significant or didn't contribute to any conclusions. Some nice cinematography, some good music, but not the best story-line.