Review of The Beta Test
midlandsmovies • October 11, 2021
The Beta Test (2021) Dir. Jim Cummings
Blue Finch Film Releasing presents The Beta Test in cinemas 15 October
With indie successes Thunder Road and The Wolf of Snow Hollow under his belt, director Jim Cummings returns with his new film The Beta Test that takes a look at technology and relationships in the 21st century.
We open with a shocking scene of domestic violence and the breakdown of a relationship before being introduced to a married Hollywood agent who stumbles through his job trying to bring in new business.
After a mysterious letter arrives, he’s surprised to find an invite to an anonymous sexual liaison in a hotel which he dismisses but as his relationship flounders he becomes more intrigued with this indecent proposal.
As his previous films, Cummings both stars and directs and his persona is part David Brent and part Larry David as he finds himself in awkward situations – sometimes owing to his own bad decisions – that spiral further out of control.
The chaotic performances (and some familiar themes) from Thunder Road (a funeral) and The Wolf of Snow Hollow (alcohol abuse/tee-totaller) carry over, making the film a natural progression of his work.
Unfortunately, that does have the slight effect of having seen this type of performance a number of times before. Although the mystery of the story evolves well, I couldn’t help but feel that the director may be close to “coasting” with his whirlwind/breakdown central character being repeated once more.
However, Cummings is a likeable presence and after he takes up the offer of the secret (and blindfolded) tryst, the married man investigates who both the woman could be as well as the person who set this up. His big Jim energy is utilised to great comedic effect as he digs into this enigma but also digs himself deep into trouble along the way.
Yet, this whirlwind of events keep the themes of façades and image to the forefront. He pretends to be a good fiancé as well as a cop and a detective whilst attempting to cover his tracks and lying to his partner and friends.
One of the most mysterious aspects of the film though is the dip in cinematography from the director’s previous works. It may be possibly owing to pandemic limitations but the image here is as flat as a pancake. Shots filmed in a restaurant look like a cross between docu-soap The Only Way Is Essex and those channels in a hotel room that is about the hotel itself.
Visuals aside though, we mostly get another winner from Cummings and the great orchestral pieces add some gravitas making the audio far superior to visual. And Cummings may be the best actor working right now for breakdown scenes and the outpouring of his shameful acts hit a powerful punch.
Tackling anonymous sex and modern relationships in a changing technological world, Cummings’ manic energy culminates in a crescendo that hops-genres successfully from comedy to erotic thriller via an almost serial-killer ending.
The Beta Test ends as an intriguing mix of Cummings’ comedy comings and goings which helps solidify an ambitious indie mystery feature where digital data and dating cross paths into a climatic whodunit.
★★★★
Michael Sales
On Sunday 26th April Midlands Movies Editor Michael Sales & awards ceremony co-host Ed Stagg (BBC Radio) announced the nominations for the 2026 Midlands Movies Awards live from the Queen of Bradgate Vintage Cinema in Leicester. A big thanks was given to the entire Jury Panel of industry experts who gave up their precious time to watch a huge selection of creative projects and as always, had a difficult time choosing from the excellent number of films from the region. You can read the full list of nominations across all 16 categories below and watch our announcement videos here: Part 1 & Part 2 And please also check out our great awards partner Chrome Video Best Actress in a Leading Role Karendip Phull for Family Kate Bracken for The Lace Rachel Baker for Throwing Fruit Chloe Wade for How Long Sophie Bullock for Ma Prison Best Animated Film Of All the Things by Steff Lee Big Red by James Pyle Statue in the Garden by Qianhui Yu Butterfly by Jacob Christie Best Director Luke Worrall for The Waterline Lily Portman for Quiet Jack Richardson for Daniel’s Room Jonathan Hawes for Sorry We’re Closed Sophia Dall'Aglio for Man from Mars Best Documentary Nothing's Impossible by Jacob Thomas McClean A Birmingham Symphony by Jemma Saunders We Bring Light: Leicester's Diwali Legacy by Kieran Vyas The Sunshine Café by Jill Lampert Through the Viewfinder by William North Best Sound (Editing or Mixing) Neil Evans & his team for Artificial Insanity Alasdair Gretton for Dead on Distribution Deepanjali Patel for Earworm David Hamilton-Smith for The Pause Heidi Wilson for Of All The Things Best Actor in a Supporting Role Devon Junior for Lazar Tim Sparrow for Safety Net Shaiek Ahmed Rana for Family Luke Rollason for Quiet Peter Willoughby for A Story of Spring Best Visual & Special Effects Jake Wesley-Worrall for Soul Trader Steve Askey & team for The Correction Unit Nick Willett, Matt Burkey & Jayne Hyman for Black Goat JaqD SFX MUA, Mind Magic Studios and Ben Harker for Beyond the Witching Hour Jacob Christie for Countenance Best Cinematography Gary Rogers for The Pause Laurence Mason-Guetta for Sorry We’re Closed Ian Snape for Soul Trader Ash Connaughton for Daniel’s Room Duane Adamoli for Surfing (nominations continue below...)
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