The Prequel Sequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark 

This movie was responsible for the PG-13 rating being adopted. While it was rated PG, it was pretty intense. After this movie, Steven Spielberg approached the MPAA and suggested a rating between PG and R. Because of this, many movies from before 1984 need a more thorough review before watching with your children. In this Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom Christian Movie Review and Parent Guide, I break down the particulars in this movie so you can decide if this movie is suitable for your child.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Christian Movie Review

Synopsis from Studio:

In a 1930s adventure set in the depths of India, Indy and his friends investigate the strange disappearances of children from a small village. As the mystery leads them within a foreboding temple, Indy is in for a challenge, with alligators, creepy crawlies, menacing villains, a precarious mine tunnel, and even supernatural powers.

My Synopsis:

It is 1935, and Indiana Jones finds himself in Shanghai, where he is involved in a bad deal. After a fight ensues, Indy narrowly escapes with the help of nightclub singer, Willie Scott. While the couple boards a plane, they think they are home free, but it turns out the plane is owned by the gangster that they just escaped. 

Jumping out of the plane, Willie and Indy land in India in a village that has had the sacred stone that protects the village stolen. After the stone disappeared, so did all the children. Indy and Willie go on a journey to find the stone. 

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Christian Movie Review What Parents Want to Know

Language:

B-stard, s-it, oh my g-d, and for Chr-sts sake is the worst of the language.

Violence: 

This is by far, the darkest and most violent movie of the entire Indiana Jones series. 

Machine guns, fist fights, poison, a man crushed to death, a man being strangled, people burned, a man hung, and a plane exploding are just some of the violent scenes.

In one harrowing scene, a man rips the beating heart out of another man. He is still alive, and the wound closes up. Then he is lowered into a volcanic pit and burned alive. Another scene showcases a woman being lowered into the pit. However, she is saved before she is fully lowered.

In addition, men fall off a cliff into a pit of crocodiles, and they are eaten alive.

Sexual:

The movie begins with a performance in a nightclub. 

Later, a man puts his hand down the front of a woman’s dress to retrieve a vial. 

Additionally, there are several sexual comments made, which include sexual banter. “Wear your jewels to bed, princess, and nothing else,” and a discussion about “mating customs.” Further discussion is made about doing research on “nocturnal activities.”

A character pushes on the breasts of a statue to open a secret passage. 

Finally, Indiana Jones uses his bullwhip to pull a woman to him.

Adult:

First, the opening scene is in a nightclub. Drinks are poured. This movie centers around child slavery, human sacrifice, and Indiana Jones and his love interest’s sexual tension.

Spiritual: 

The villagers in India believe that the “sacred stone” protects their village.

Moreover, several “rituals” involve killing, human sacrifice to their god, a Thuggee high priest, drinking blood, and worship to the goddess Kali. Additionally, one character uses a voodoo doll to control another character.

Finally, a man is forced to drink blood and is put in a trance. He then chants to the “god.”

Other:

It should be noted, that children are beaten and chained and are shown working in a mine as slaves.

In a particularly gross scene, a dinner is served that consists of eating live snakes, beetles, eyeball soup, and monkey brains still in the monkey head for dessert.

A woman has bugs crawling all over her.

Positive Content:

Without a doubt, Indiana Jones is always on the quest to do the right thing. When faced with saving himself and his traveling companions, he instead chooses to spend the time saving the children. When faced with saving himself or the damsel in distress, he opts to save the damsel. 

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Viewing Recommendations:

There is so much violent content. Additionally, the spiritual aspect is very distressing. The depiction of human sacrifice, voodoo, and other rituals performed are incredibly unsettling. Finally, the child slavery is pretty intense, and coupled with the sexually suggestive talk, this film should never be watched with children.

I remember seeing this movie in the theater. I have not watched it since then. However, watching this movie before the release of Dial of Destiny, I am reminded of why I hated it so much. As a Christian, I felt this movie was repugnant. 

About the Movie: 

Rating: PG

Release Date: May 23, 1984

Runtime: 1 hour, 58 minutes

Genre: Adventure/Action

Director: Steven Spielberg

Story by: George Lucas

Producer: Robert Watts, Frank Marshall

Editor: Michael Kahn

Music composed by John Williams

Distributed by Paramount Pictures

Cast of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom:

Indiana Jones played by Harrison Ford

Willie Scott played by Kate Capshaw

Short Round played by Ke Huy Quan

Mola Ram played by Amrish Puri

Chatter Lal played by Rohan Seth

Captain Philip Blumbutt played by Philip Stone

Lao Che played by Roy Chiao

Wu Han played by David Yip

Weber played by Dan Aykroyd

Shaman played by D.R. Nanayakkara

Frequently Asked Questions?

Where can you stream Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom?

It is currently streaming on Disney Plus. In addition, you can rent it on Amazon.

Why was this film banned in India?

Importantly, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was banned in India because of its cultural depiction of the country.

Why is the Temple of Doom such a dark film?

It is reported that George Lucas was going through a divorce. Therefore, the darkness in the movie mimics the darkness in his relationship.

Who is the goddess Kali?

Upon research, I have found that Kali is the goddess of ultimate power, time, and destruction.

What is the Thugee culture?

Did you know, thugee means actions and crimes carried out by thugs. In fact, the word thug originates in the Hindi word that, which means swindler or deceiver. 

The British view was that the Thugs were a secret sect who worshipped the goddess Kali Ma, and they participated in human sacrifice. 

Thugee were highway robbers in India.

Read My Review: Raiders of the Lost Ark

List of All Indiana Jones Movies and Series