The Beta Test

Released Nov 5, 2021

1 hr. 34 min.

Mystery & Thriller

Comedy

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92%

89 Reviews

Tomatometer

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 in this scintillating satire.

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Premiered Sep 26

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Critics Consensus

A darkly amusing thriller that discomfits as it entertains, The Beta Test satirizes Hollywood with savage flair.

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Alec B

Maybe it doesn't really come together at the end but that doesn't hurt the overall effectiveness of the commentary. Cummings remains a truly original talent, especially as a performer, and his character's desperate masculine posturing (which manifests itself in pathetic outbursts and flop sweat) really is just something to behold.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/24

Full Review

kk test

It's good — I'd recommend.It's good — I'd recommend

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/24

Full Review

Thomas R

The genre-bending-&-blending "Beta Test" is an instant, cinematic masterpiece. This is a low-budget, independent movie, but it looks and feels like a very-polished and put-together movie. It's definitely worth the $6.99 rental fee on Amazon Prime.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/17/23

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Lim Q

Jim Cummings is a true talent of indie cinema

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/12/23

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Smokin' With A

Lol man this guy is a bad actor and I hate him the entire time. I was hoping he would get killed in the end but alas he lives. He has no redeeming qualities and I don't know why anyone would want to be with him. Anyway, a good idea for a film but poorly executed.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

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Arturas V

Concept was intriguing but overall the comedy and movie flow didn't quite do it for me. Some lines were funny, however a lot of the script was over-the-top and downright strange. Some scenes were really interesting, some were cringe and unnecessary. It's a film that throws a lot at the wall, and lands the odd one.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/18/22

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Jim Cummings

Director

PJ McCabe

Director

Jim Cummings

Jordan

PJ McCabe

PJ

Virginia Newcomb

Caroline

Kevin Changaris

Actor

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The Beta Test: Trailer 1

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Natalia Winkelman

New York Times

Tales of angsty alpha males who see the light are a cinematic sacred cow, yet lacking in clarity of vision or a cohesive world, "The Beta Test" comes out looking as confused as its antihero.

Dec 7, 2021

Full Review

Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

It is a really great Hollywood satire that I found amusing.

Nov 6, 2021

Full Review

Matt Zoller Seitz

RogerEbert.com

Cummings and co-director/co-star PJ McCabe are more adept at maintaining tone than a lot of better-known filmmakers.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 5, 2021

Full Review

Amy Smith

InSession Film

There are some things that stop it from being a fantastic film, but the good certainly does outweigh the bad in a film that promises to make you laugh before anxiously anticipating what will happen next.

Rated: B

Mar 1, 2024

Full Review

Dallas King

Flick Feast

Jim Cummings, pulling triple duty as co-writer & co-director, is excellent as a man who seemingly has it all but life quickly spirals out of control... a film that will provoke much discussion regarding its themes and the resolution of its mystery.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 12, 2022

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Josh Parham

Next Best Picture

The topics of discussion have a pointed relevancy that makes them attractive, and centered around a commanding performance from Cummings makes it all the more inviting.

Rated: 7/10

Jun 5, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

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 in this scintillating satire.

Director: Jim Cummings, PJ McCabe
Executive Producer: Douglas Choi, John Jeffrey Martin, Jake Orthwein, Alex C. Rudolph
Screenwriter: Jim Cummings, PJ McCabe
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Vanishing Angle, Sons of Rigor Films, DiffeRant Productions
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 5, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 5, 2021
Box Office (Gross USA): $30.2K

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