The Beta Test – 2021 – Mystery, Thriller, Horror, Dark Comedy
Directed by: Jim Cummings; PJ McCabe
Written by: Jim Cummings; PJ McCabe
Main Players: Jim Cummings; PJ McCabe; Virginia Newcomb

After what appears to be an unrelated and violent opening scene, The Beta Test settles into a strange groove. Main character and asshat Hollywood agent Jordan Hines (Cummings) bounds through life with little regard for anything other than money, status and power. He has a great job, car, home, fiancé, life and future ahead.
So, what does he do when he receives a mysterious card in the mail offering him a once-in-a-lifetime, discreet, no-strings, blindfolded sexual encounter with a hot-bodied admirer in a nice local hotel? To no one’s surprise, our favorite asshat Jordan performs as expected, dumping himself face first into a tornado of anxiety and backpedaling. As Jordan looks to the mysterious envelope trying to trace its origins, a nefarious plot emerges slowly.
What appears to be a usual and/or unattractive story is superbly enhanced by solid comedy elements, enduring tension, and devious uses of technology which are all too realistic. While mileage may vary for viewers on the plot fundamentals, most of the jokes and situational humor landed for me, and the plot was well-done despite a small budget.
Cummings’ brand of comedy works for me, as it is mostly self-deprecating, awkward and dry. This is a hard movie to directly compare to something else, which is a good thing!
See This If You Liked:
Out of Time; The Wolf of Snow Hollow; Thunder Road; The Last Stop in Yuma County; Bodies Bodies Bodies
Score:
7.0