Temple

Temple is a bone-chilling 2017 horror film directed by Michael Barrett in his directorial debut. The film casts Logan Huffman, Natalia Warner, and Brandon Sklenar in lead roles. It amalgamates elements of horror, psychological thriller, and adventure, producing a narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

The storyline is mainly set in Japan and revolves around three American tourists - the introspective history enthusiast Christopher (Logan Huffman), his girlfriend Kate (Natalia Warner), and their mutual friend, the more outgoing and lively type, James (Brandon Sklenar). These three individuals choose to deviate from the traditional tourist trails and decide to explore the off-beaten path in pursuit of an unusual and adventurous vacation.

Their journey takes them to the mysterious rural landscapes of Japan, filled with abundant history and culture. Found amid these is the seemingly abandoned and decaying temple that piques their interest to the extent that they decide to ditch the warnings of the locals and embark on a dangerous exploration of this eerie monument. As they dive deeper into the antiquities, the uncanny drama unfolds revealing the darkness and horror that rest within this monument of bygone times.

Logan Huffman as Christopher does a commendable job playing the curious and ambitious tourist, while Natalia Warner adds depth to her role as Kate with a genuine portrayal of her character, perfectly reflecting both her interest and dread. Brandon Sklenar’s character, James, successfully brings a mix of bravery and light-heartedness to the screen crafting a dynamic which represents the myriad emotions that such an adventure entails.

The film's theme explores the intersection between physical and psychological fear, underlining the haunting past of cultural relics, and uncovering the potentially fatal consequences of meddling with forgotten folklore. Amid the suspense and horror, Temple also puts forth a poignant display of interpersonal relationships, exploring the complications and nuances of a love triangle among the three friends.

Director Michael Barrett makes full use of the Japanese setting, imbuing the narrative with an exotic vibe that adds to the overall sense of horror and suspense. The beautiful cinematography captured by Cory Geryak portrays the stunning Japanese landscapes, providing a stark contrast to the heart-stopping dark elements that the film incorporates.

The movie also takes a unique approach to narrative development, following a non-linear pattern that incorporates provoking plot layers. The story switches between time frames - from the journey of the explorers to post their exploring phase, thereby amplifying the anxiety and tension that the viewer experiences.

Complementing Barrett's direction is Sean Carter's haunting score. The music skeletonises the narrative, intensifying the grimness and dread of the scenes. The film’s sound design effortlessly amplifies the horror elements, crafting an ambience that provokes a sense of doom and suspense in the viewer.

One of the standout features of the movie is its depiction of suspense. Without relying heavily on jump scares, the movie maintains a consistently creepy atmosphere, leaving its audiences in a suspenseful state as cryptic symbols and unnerving folklore drive the narrative, and the protagonists delve further into foreseen doom.

Temple is a well-navigated horror drama ideal for those who appreciate a story embedded with cultural depth, suspense, and dread. Despite being his first directorial venture, Michael Barrett executes the narrative effectively, evidently succeeding in eliciting fear and anticipation in its viewers.

In conclusion, Temple is a dread-infused exploration of forgotten folklore, bound with entangled relationships. The movie draws its strength from its engaging plot, convincing performances, superb sound design, terrific cinematography, and stimulating direction. For appreciators of the horror genre looking to immerse themselves in a compelling narrative layered with intensity, suspense and dread, Temple could certainly prove to be an intriguing choice.