If it’s October, that means it’s officially Spooky Season. But that also means it’s time for our favorite horror-themed film festival again. That’s right, Screamfest, AKA “The Sundance of Horror,” is here! We look forward to covering this because it highlights so many films we may not have seen otherwise.
First up, we’re reviewing Test Screening. The film takes place during the summer of 1982 and is about four lifelong best friends who find their lives upended when a Hollywood film decides to hold a secret test screening in their small, declining Oregon town. The screenplay was written by Stephen Susco and Clark Baker, who also directed. We’re sure, like us, you’re thinking, “What’s so bad about a film coming to your town for a special screening?” well, this isn’t your typical screening in any sense of the word.
For Penny (Chloë Kerwin), Richard, AKA Reels (Drew Scheid), Simon (Johnny Berchtold), and Mia (Rain Spencer), life in New Hope is dull, and they are all seeking escapism. Penny is dealing with the pressure of living up to her father’s standards, who is a preacher with “traditional values.” At the same time, she’s also battling her feelings for her friend Mia. Mia’s home life isn’t the best. Her parents always fight, and she does her best to care for her little brother. She dreams of leaving Oregon someday and taking Penny with her. Simon, who has a terminally ill mother at home, does everything he can to help his father, who is struggling financially and having difficulty paying for all of her medications and treatments. Richard seems like a free agent of sorts. He’s just kind of on his own all the time. However, he has connected with people online through his love of film.
Reels knows his friends are going through a lot; he has just the thing. He is thrilled when the theater where he works announces that a special screening is coming to their town. The owner, Luther, has become disillusioned with everything because nobody is going to the movies like they once were. Nothing they show seems to be pulling anyone in. Reels thinks this is the thing that will get the theater back on track. What better way to put a small town on the map than to host Hollywood for a film screening?
In the days leading up to the screening, things are weird. The bridge out of town is closed for some reason, so nobody can get in or out, which had us asking how the film could even be dropped off. When the film does arrive, two men in hazmat-type suits show up. They change the locks on the door to where the film is set up and don’t even allow Reels in for any parts of the setup. The only thing he does get is the name of the film, E. Pluribus Unum, which we all know is on our money. But, what you may not have known is that it translates to “Out of many, one.”
On the night of the screening, everyone goes except Penny because her father is not big on entertainment. She isn’t even allowed to listen to music in her car. Seriously, the man removed her stereo from the vehicle. His thought is if the people providing the film are being so secretive, they must have something to hide. In this instance, after everything that happened, he was onto something. After the screening finishes everyone in attendance is acting strange. The only person who doesn’t seem to be affected by it is Reels. There’s a reason, but you’ll have to watch to learn why.
Penny and Reels both start to notice that Mia and Simon have gotten oddly close. They’re behaving like a couple, which is weird to Penny because she and Mia shared a kiss, and it seemed like something was beginning to take shape for them and their relationship. Something about the film has entirely changed Mia’s personality and Simon’s. Anyone who watched the film is no longer themselves. Penny and Reels learn that something bigger is at play, and they must work together to devise a plan to save everyone in town from whatever has taken over.
What I loved about this film was the classic 80s vibe to it. I got nostalgic watching it and thought people who love the series Stranger Things would enjoy this movie. It also made me think about one of my favorite 90s films, The Faculty. The setting was also spooky, giving me Scream Woodsboro curfew vibes with the lack of people out and about. That doesn’t mean there were not some things that could have been better. I would have liked to have seen more of the relationship between Mia and Penny. It felt slightly rushed. I didn’t think we had enough time to get to know them before everything that happened to Mia after she watched the movie. I also kept asking, “What is everyone showing these people?” each time, they would say, “I need to show you something. You have to see to understand.” I get that the big reveal is the thing to focus on, but I still think we should have seen something at some point before then. The Something comes so late in the film that when it does, you feel like, “Oh, okay. We could have seen this sooner.” That isn’t to say the big reveal doesn’t deliver a shock; I just wanted more.
I did love the message of the film, though, if I am interpreting it correctly. To me, Test Screening seemed like a film about conforming to what is deemed as “Normal.” It seemed like it was about how so many forms of control exist. Whether it be our government, the entertainment industry, religion, or even our own families, it made me think of things like banned books and how every part of our lives is being dictated by someone else. Even when it comes to the people we choose to love. Penny and Mia clearly had feelings for each other, but once Mia saw E. Pluribus Unum, she no longer seemed to have feelings for Penny and only seemed to want to be around Simon.
Test Screening is not an average horror film. It has a unique storyline that keeps me trying to figure out what’s going on. The ending surprised me in a way I did not expect it to. It was beautiful and sad all at the same time. I don’t think I’ll ever go to another film screening without this movie popping into my head.
Check out the trailer for Test Screening below:
