An overstressed Hollywood agent, a few weeks before his weeding, gets personal invitation for a no hold barrels sexual encounter. The problem is he is blinded and identify the woman he had sex with. He become obsessed with her and the situation and things get out of control.
The movie can be considered as poor people Eyes Wild Shut; but with some comedy moments (and sometimes very annoying).
Jim Cummings, the director, loves the be the annoying/disturbed guy (as he did in the funnier The Wolf of Snow Hollow); perhaps too much . He is still funny but he exceeds his welcome in my opinion.
There some interesting secondary characters; dialogs filled with one liners that requires a lot of attention, several killings and some kind of thriller that (as in Eyes Wide Shut) is barely resolved.
The important theme of the movie is the hypocrisy and desperation that requires to stay afloat in this new ultra technological world. As hard as it seems; Cummings also keep everything on the light smile side instead of the drama.
In brief; it is an interesting concept managed in a very interesting way. Worth a try; but requires attention.
The Beta Test
2021
Action / Comedy / Horror / Thriller
The Beta Test
2021
Action / Comedy / Horror / Thriller
Plot summary
An engaged Hollywood agent receives a mysterious letter for an anonymous sexual encounter and becomes ensnared in a sinister world of lying, infidelity, and digital data.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Tech specs
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Strange mix of social comedy and thriller
Cummings...not for me
Let's just say that Jim Cummings a director AND as an actor doesn't work for me. His act work for 20 minutes, but after that it's just repetitive and annoying even if he has something to say.
Razor sharp observations at today's office and sex cultures
As "The Beta Test" (2021 release; 93 min.) opens, a woman confesses to her Swedish boyfriend to having had a one night stand. The boyfriend promptly kills her. We are then introduced to Jordan, who is about to be married in 2 months, and his Hollywood talent agency partner PJ. Jordan receives an anonymous invite for a discreet no-strings sexual encounter, and he is very tempted... At this point we are 10 min into the movie but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.
Couple of comments: this is the newest film from co-directors, co-writers, co-producers and co-stars Jim Cummings (as Jordan) and PJ McCabe (who didn't even bother changing his character's name). From the get-go I felt pulled in by this movie for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it is impossible to predict how it's all going to play out (and the movie is very plot-heavy, by the way). Second, the script is tight, very tight, and balances drama with dark humor effortlessly. Third, the cast (the 2 guys with their significant others, and several side characters) are outstanding. Cummings reminds me of a young Jim Carrey. I was amazed how quickly this film flew by.
This film was shot in the Fall of 2019, yes over 2 years ago, but then of course a little thing called COVID-19 broke out and almost brought the movie theater business onto its knees. The film premiered at this summer's Tribeca film festival, to great buzz. The movie finally opened at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati this past weekend. The Tuesday early evening screening where I saw this at wat attended so-so (exactly 7 people including myself). IF you are in the mood for a movie with razor sharp observations on today's office and sex cultures, I'd readily suggest you check this out, be it in the theater (while you still can),on Amazon Instant Video and other streaming platforms, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.