The Beta Test is a chilling and dark satire that, despite its flaws, is something viewers will be unable to turn away from.
The Beta Test starts right off with a shock and it just doesn’t stop. Even though the satire gets to be a bit much after a while, the story is just so captivating that you will be unable to look away. It is easy to find yourself completely swept up in the main character Jordan’s affairs. You will almost want to know who is behind it all as desperately as he does. This movie will make viewers think long and hard about what they do on the internet.
This movie follows a young Hollywood agent named Jordan, played by Jim Cummings, who receives a mysterious letter in the mail offering him a one time, completely secret and anonymous, night with a secret admirer at a hotel. The problem with this is that he is newly engaged and planning a wedding — which is sure to be put in jeopardy should he accept.
It turns out he isn’t the only person getting this offer and some of the others result in murders, lying, and deceit. This dark and twisted story doesn’t seem so far fetched, which is what makes it truly terrifying.
What Works With The Beta Test
The best thing about this movie is that it wastes no time diving right into it. It is shocking pretty from the first few moments and then continues with the twists and turns as the story continues and develops. The film never drags. It fully embraces and takes advantage of every minute of its 93 minute run time with intense and suspenseful scenes around every corner.
Jim Cummings is absolutely phenomenal in this role. His character is full of himself yet insecure, and extremely cringy. The more time goes on, the more the viewers hate for him will grow. He is, simply put, not a good person. Cummings does a fantastic job in allowing this to come apart, but somehow also keeping the audience invested in his character and his story.
The social media algorithm aspect to The Beta Test is the most intriguing part, though. When everything starts to fully be revealed it is easy to see this movie as something that could truly occur — which is absolutely terrifying. Sometimes movies like this have to stretch the imagination a little bit, and aren’t totally believable, but The Beta Test is.
What Doesn’t Work With The Beta Test
The Me Too Movement references are meant to be satire in this film, and they do work, for a little bit. But after several Harvey name drops and mentions that you can’t say or do certain things in this new climate, or new time, it gets a bit old.
It is clear that this is the point of the movie, that and what we all put out there on social media, however, it just gets to be a lot. They could have cut those sort of references in half and the audience would still be able to understand the message of The Beta Test. It goes overboard, which is more or less the only negative thing about this film.
Overall Thoughts
The Beta Test is a very dark movie that is unafraid to make fun of itself while still seeming like a serious movie. It is pure satire of the Hollywood lifestyle, and Jim Cummings demands attention as the lead. Perhaps not the best attention, but attention nonetheless.
This movie kicks right off with a shocking scene, and it doesn’t stop there. The longer it goes on, the crazier and more intense things get. The runtime is perfect because it allows this film to be high octane for 90 full minutes, and as disturbing as it is, viewers will be unable to look away.
They too, will have the same questions that Jordan has — and when all is revealed they will probably feel sick to their stomachs about it, and think twice before every move they make on the internet.
About The Beta Test
A married Hollywood agent receives a mysterious letter for an anonymous sexual encounter and becomes ensnared in a sinister world of lying, murder, and infidelity.
The Beta Test opens in theaters and Video On Demand November 5.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.