While echoes of Stephen Spielberg’s all-American adventure stories resonate through Test Screening, this ‘80s set horror is closer aligned to Stephen King’s darkest works. Director Clark Baker manages to reign in multiple weighty themes, including, but not limited to, moral panics, queer awakenings, rural Christian America, and conspiracy theories, a thematic juggling act which would make Spielberg proud. Most importantly, Test Screening is thrilling, a terrifying adventure which has to be watched at the edge of one’s seat.
★★★★☆
Test Screening follows four teenagers living in a cut-off, rural town in America. A rare reprieve from their smalltown ennui comes in the form of a mysterious test screening, announced to be shown at their local cinema. Film buff Reels (Drew Scheid) eagerly hypothesises that they will screen the new Star Wars, Simon (Johnny Berchtold) is happy to get away from his bleak homelife, and Penny (Chloë Kerwin) is hoping to hang out with her crush Mia (Rain Spencer) despite her overbearing pastor father. However, after the screening, no-one can remember what the film was about. Reels has a constant splitting headache, Simon and Mia are acting weird, and sinister men in black are patrolling the edge of town. What exactly have they watched?
The most impressive thing about Test Screening is its near flawless execution. Every facet of this film, from the cinematography to the loveable teen protagonists (not always an easy task, I’m looking at you Twilight) is achieved to such a level of satisfaction that it feels like watching a gold-standard ‘80s Hollywood classic. Somehow Test Screening manages to dodge the now tired ‘80s nostalgia porn trend started by Stranger Things. Dungeons & Dragons tables and chopper bikes aren’t salivated over by the camera—they refreshingly blend into the film’s believable reality. There are no whiffs of Eggo-waffle themed merch opportunities here either.
The film is taken into Cronenbergian territories towards the middle. The ‘80s blockbuster tone tricks the viewer into expecting some vague close-ups hinting at the horror at hand, but Test Screening revels in revealing all the goo and sinew it possibly can. Sickbags are advisable for the faint-hearted. Scarier still is the brutality of the film. There are no bullies deserving comeuppance or reckless best friends to fill the role of first victim; every single character is at risk in Test Screening, even those who would typically be classed as narratively invulnerable. Arguably there are some kills which teeter on being depressing rather than scary, but the thrill of a properly risky scenario for the characters to traverse is rare and welcomed.
This film is easy to love. It has the flavour of ‘80s childhood favourites, the type of films which would typically adorn the walls of film fans in the form of HMV purchased posters. Fans of Joe Dante’s sharp cold war comedy Matinee (1993) will also find a lot of similarities to love here. However, a savagely bitter taste undercuts the hamburger comforts synonymous with the genre Test Screening plays with. This is a brutal film which will have any viewer with a heart pounding the sofa and screaming at the protagonists to run. Aside from the occasional editing misstep, this is a filmmaking achievement which is, somehow, both feel-good and gut wrenching. Be ready for a cinematic rollercoaster ride.
The Verdict
A brilliantly crafted horror film which hits all the right story beats on time. With the added bonus of brutality, this film is an unstoppable good time.
Words by Barney Nuttall
Test Screening premiered at FrightFest on 22nd August.
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