Test Screening is a 2024 sci-fi horror film about four teens who discover a test screening is coming to their little cinema. However, the new film is a mind-control experiment that has terrifying effects.
The movie was directed by Clark Baker from a screenplay co-written with co-producer Stephen Susco, making his feature directorial debut. It was co-produced by Warren Kohler, Mike Manning and Michael Mobley and executive-produced by Clark Baker, Marcelo Chao, Ron Hammond and José Luis Massa.
The Parallax Ventures production stars Amy Hargreaves, Sean Bridgers, Drew Scheid, Johnny Berchtold, Rain Spencer, Alex Hurt, Chloë Kerwin, Jeb Berrier, Sean Tarjyoto, Grayson Palumbo and Kody Harvard.
Reviews:
“Interestingly, there is a queer sub-plot which feels like it’s dropped before it can gather steam. Baker also draws from Society with some of his commentary around class, capitalism and of course there’s some body horror thrown in for good measure […] Test Screening will be lapped up by nostalgia hounds and is entertaining enough to appeal beyond that crowd.” Bloody Flicks
“Test Screening is a film that defied my expectations in terms of how much care Baker put into the characters and the world he creates. He takes the framework for what could be a derivative throwback and makes a beautiful and tragic drama but one that offers enough to appease fans of sci-fi horror centred on practical effects. For his feature debut it is a highly impressive piece of work…” ★★★★ The Fright Club
“Test Screening perfectly captures that period of being on the precipice of adulthood. We get all the complications that come with sexuality, forming one’s own identity outside one’s parents and figuring out what happens next. Plaudits to the team for crafting a well-told coming-of-age story around a tender romance and perfectly splicing it with a body-snatcher-style film.” Horror Cult Films
“Test Screening has secured a place on my list of top 10 horror films of this year. Highly recommended for fright-fare fanatics of all stripes. If the idea of The Thing and Invasion of the Body Snatchers mixed with Spielbergian elements sounds cool (and it is), then Test Screening is for you. Stellar practical effects steal the show which is highlighted by some great acting by the cast, both young and old.” The Good, the Bad and the Verdict
“Test Screening doesn’t answer any deep philosophical questions, nor is it interested in meta-commentary. The time period setting casually mentions Dungeons & Dragons, the AIDS epidemic, and the concept of being “under attack” by our television screens without actively engaging with any of those ideas. Instead, freaky monsters and Lovecraftian intrigue implore viewers to be more mindful of what they blindly consume.” ★★★★ Josh at the Movies
“The exact nature of the screening emerges gradually as we see its effects on a cross-section of the town … imposing conformist, conservative behaviour (Mia isn’t gay any more) but also prompting some flesh-twisting done by pleasingly apt-for-1982 physical effects. It’s grounded by solid work from Scheid and Kerwin as hold-outs from the gloopy communion which takes hold of the town and manages some odd poignance between the yuck moments.” The Kim Newman Web Site
“There this movie stands out, is the unusual developments in the aftermath of the showing. These keep you guessing and leave you shocked by different events that happen […] The strong performances bring the characters together well and the effects team deserve a shoutout too.” ★★★★ Movie Reviews 101
Country of origin:
United States
Technical specs:
1 hour 32 minutes
Cast and characters:
Amy Hargreaves … DeeDee
Sean Bridgers … Bill
Drew Scheid … Reels
Johnny Berchtold … Simon
Rain Spencer … Mia
Alex Hurt … Fred
Chloë Kerwin … Penny
Jeb Berrier … Luther
Sean Tarjyoto … Felt Pen
Grayson Palumbo … Eddie
Kody Harvard … Kyle
