Jim Cummings is one of the most promising and singular talents of a new generation of filmmakers, delivering a new and scathing satire in The Beta Test. As a breathtakingly original takedown of Hollywood culture, toxic masculinity, and the falseness of the Internet age, The Beta Test is as creative and hilarious as it is quietly audacious in its creation. Cummings’ latest film proves that his delectable singularity can be channeled however he wishes.

The Beta Test is the story of Hollywood agent Jordan Hines, who is soon-to-be-wed and waiting for the next phase of his career. When he receives an invitation for an anonymous sexual liaison, Jordan becomes entangled in a web of lies, infidelity, and conspiracy as his life spirals beyond his control.

As fantastic of a filmmaker as he is, The Beta Test also features Cummings’ best performance as an actor. He does an impressive juggling act as someone who is inherently unlikeable but insanely funny as well. Every forced smile and nervous head tick add small nuances, as much as his screaming rants that make up his dialogue. Cummings’ work is something that’s difficult to accomplish as an actor. He accomplishes the physicality and the emotion needed to make his work believable and entertaining.

That being said, The Beta Test is hardly a one-man show. A large supporting cast of characters make their marks in individual scenes. The two that stand out in the ensemble are PJ McCabe and Virginia Newcomb. The former is hilarious, often getting to deliver the funniest lines as a more likable but equally smarmy agent. At the same time, Newcomb’s more limited screentime is put to great use as she has to weather the worst of what Cummings’ character has to offer his fiance.

The Beta Test possesses a razor-sharp screenplay, filled with jokes, commentary, and twists that will keep an audience on the edge of their seat. Not a moment feels wasted as Jordan and the audience dive into this mystery, while Cummings and McCabe possess a natural sense of flow with the dialogue they create. The characters they’ve created feel real in their flaws, with few attempts to make them likable. However, the characters retain basic human empathy despite that.

If there’s a flaw, The Beta Test‘s resolution to its mystery can be a little unsatisfying as a thriller. The commentary of The Beta Test ultimately means that the conclusion is still fulfilling and haunting, but as a mystery, the ultimate answer is a little confusing and could’ve used a moment to make the answer (or lack of one) clearer. It helps that The Beta Test ultimately evolves to be more about everything wrong with Jordan and the system he’s a part of, but it caused me a brief moment of confusion.

While this is Cummings’ third feature, The Beta Test also gives longtime writing collaborator PJ McCabe a chance behind the camera, and the result is a dynamic and fast-paced thriller. The two clearly have a well-tuned relationship, with The Beta Test maintaining the exact right sense of tone and pacing as the film moves along. The cinematographer Kenneth Wales gets plenty of chances to show off despite there being very few “flashy” scenes on a cinematic level.

There’s also something to highlight about Cummings’ ability as an editor in The Beta Test. While the image of the film itself often looks functionally overdramatic, that actually serves as a strength as Cummings’ editorial flair truly gets to shine. Each scene packs a punch, while each cut has a purpose to either highlight or hide from the audience members to ensure that a moment is never wasted.

The Beta Test is a highlight and a delight from Jim Cummings and PJ McCabe, where every aspect of the film is worth praising beyond compliments. The ensemble is a marvel to witness, while their script is an airtight genre clashing of thriller, social critique, and comedy that transcends each of those genres. The Beta Test goes beyond the line of when a film is simply good, with the distinct vision that Cummings and McCabe set out, elevating a seemingly basic plot into something much greater.

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The Beta Test

9

Score

9.0/10

Pros

• Hilarious and focused
• Fantastic performances from the cast
• Singular directorial vision
• Gripping mystery
• A nuanced and scathing commentary

Cons

• Bit of an unsatisfying mystery conclusion