by Joseph Perry and Mike Imboden
In our “The Good, the Bad, and the Verdict” film reviews, Joseph and Mike give their thoughts on a slice of cinema. For this installment, it’s the sci-fi/horror Test Screening by Clark Baker
Synopsis
Four teens — pastor’s daughter Penny (Chloë Kerwin), her best friend Mia (Rain Spencer), their friend with trouble at home Simon (Johnny Berchtold), and their movie nerd buddy Reels (Drew Scheid) — find out that a test screening is coming to their little cinema, but the film is actually a mind-control experiment that has terrifying effects.
The Good
Joseph: Dang, there’s a big reveal, right there in the official synopsis. That’s too bad, as we avoid spoilers here at The Good, the Bad, and the Verdict as much as possible. Well, since official descriptions are giving things away regarding Test Screening, we might as well also consider a line from the film’s FrightFest description: “The Thing meets Society in a Stranger Things universe.” If either of those representations get more eyeballs on this terrific film, then all is forgiven regarding knowing what I consider to be too much information before viewing — because I had a blast watching it! Yes, it wears its cinematic heart on its sleeve, paying homage to those three aforementioned properties — with a dash of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, to boot — but it does so and presses the nostalgia buttons while being its own beast, as well. Director Baker and his cowriter Stephen Susco are obviously huge fans of the horror genre, and it shows not only in their influences but also in the film’s solid pacing, taut suspense, and startling set pieces. The drama between the four main characters, involving both each other and family members, is believably written and realized, the latter thanks to the fine, lived-in performances from Kerwin, Scheid, Spencer, and Berchtold. The supporting cast members all provide great turns, as well. Creature Effects Lead/Lead Creature Designer Adam Dougherty and everyone else in the Art, Special Effects, and Makeup Departments deserve high praise for their stellar work, as the rendering of what happens to the residents of the small Oregon town in which the film is set is marvelously creepy. Director of Photography Dan Adlerstein captures all of the eerie goings-on wonderfully.
Mike: The Thing meets Invasion of the Body Snatchers. If that sounds like something you’d dig, then Test Screening is a film you need to put on your radar.
Set in 1982, it’s a real treat to see a “period piece” get it right. There’s no “gaudy” stereotypical “80s” fashion on display, just people dressed like average Joes did back then, so kudos to the costuming folks.
The story itself is pretty much what I opened up with, although maybe add “as directed by Stephen Spielberg” to it since we’ve got a group of teens who fit the requisite character types for a movie of the time it’s set in. Add in some sunglasses-wearing adults and you’ve got the recipe for a summer hit. There’s also a bit of a “coming of age” angle going on with one of the characters as she tries to escape from under the thumb of her reverend father.
The big home run that Test Screening hits is with its practical effects. No over-the-top CGI stuff here, just some gruesome body-horror that rivals many other films that opt for going the same route for their effects.
The Bad
Joseph: If I had any grumbles about Test Screening, I had too much fun watching the film to remember what they were by the time the ending credits rolled.
Mike: There’s really nothing to add to this section. If a gun was pointed at my head and I was forced to put something here I might mention that the mind-control could have used a little more pseudo-science to explain how it worked. But honestly, what is there was enough for me to say “Okay, gotcha” and roll with what was going on.
The Verdict
Joseph: My favorite “small-town takeover” genre film since The Vast of Night (2019), 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.
Mike: 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. This was a welcome sight after numerous sub-par movies we’ve subjected ourselves to this Summer.
Test Screening
Directed By: Clark Baker
Written By: Clark Baker, Stephen Susco
Starring: Chloë Kerwin, Drew Scheid, Johnny Berchtold, Amy Hargreaves, Rain Spencer
Run Time: 1h 32m
Rating: NR
Release Date: August 22, 2024 (United Kingdom)
[No trailer was available at the time of our review]
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