First Look at ‘The Temple’ Teases a Haunting Clash of Science and the Supernatural

Canadian filmmaking duo Calvin Thomas and Yonah Lewis have built a reputation in independent cinema with films like ‘White Lie’ and ‘The Oxbow Cure’. Their fifth feature, ‘The Temple’, moves into horror with a story that blends grief, science and the afterlife.

The project first made headlines in November 2024, when Daniel Zolghadri entered talks to lead the film. At the time, it was described as an indie sci-fi horror story preparing to shoot in Canada.

Now fans have their first look at the film. As Film Updates shared, a new image from ‘The Temple’ shows a shadowy moment between 2 characters in a dim brick room. In the still, a dark-haired woman stares ahead with a haunted expression while a man presses his head against her shoulder. The cold, worn walls behind them give the image a bleak, unsettling feel.

The cast includes Cory Michael Smith, Daniel Zolghadri and Vic Carmen Sonne, with Tamara Podemski also in the ensemble. The story follows an orphaned millionaire who believes he has found the ghosts of his dead parents in an abandoned church. He enlists a radiation scientist to help him communicate with them.

Earlier descriptions called the scientist skeptical, adding tension between faith and evidence. According to Dread Central, the millionaire eventually discovers that his parents are trapped in hell and desperate to return to the living.

That twist gives the film a darker edge than a typical ghost story. Instead of offering comfort, the search could unleash something far more dangerous. Zolghadri has built an impressive résumé in recent years. He earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Breakthrough Performance for ‘Funny Pages’ and also appeared in ‘Y2K’ and ‘American Horror Stories’.

First look at ‘THE TEMPLE’ starring Cory Michael Smith, Daniel Zolghadri and Vic Carmen Sonne. It follows an orphaned millionaire who believes he has found the ghosts of his dead parents in an abandoned church and enlists a radiation scientist to help him communicate with them. https://t.co/rvIY8csLwb

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) November 2, 2026

Cory Michael Smith is known for ‘Utopia’, while Vic Carmen Sonne starred in ‘The Girl with the Needle’. Together with Podemski, the group brings a mix of indie credibility and genre experience to the project.

Thomas and Lewis wrote the screenplay with Lev Lewis, who also edited the film and composed its score. Their close collaboration gives the project a distinctive, filmmaker-driven feel.

Babe Nation Films, led by Katie Bird Nolan and Lindsay Tapscott, produced the film alongside Lisa Pictures, the directors’ own company. The production shot in Canada and is now in post-production.

‘The Temple’ is also gearing up for its release. Paris-based WTFilms has acquired international sales rights and will launch the film at the American Film Market later this month. Elevation Pictures will handle the release in Canada. A release date for other territories hasn’t been announced yet.

The premise puts a new spin on familiar supernatural ideas. By introducing a radiation scientist into a ghost story, the film seems set to explore whether science can explain what lies beyond death.

With a strong cast and a filmmaking team known for character-driven stories, ‘The Temple’ could become one to watch for horror fans. The first image suggests a moody, emotional take on the genre. More details, including a trailer, will likely arrive as the film makes its way through the festival and sales circuit.

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