Test (2013 film)

Set in San Francisco in 1985, the film centers on Frankie (Scott Marlowe), a young dancer in a modern dance company, and his relationship with Todd (Kristoffer Cusick), a more experienced dancer. Frankie is anxious about taking an HIV test for the first time, a decision prompted by a recent sexual encounter. The narrative interweaves his daily life—rehearsals, friendships, and a budding romance with a man named Walt—with the looming fear of the test results. The film culminates in Frankie receiving his results, which are negative, but the emotional weight of the era is palpable throughout.¹

Director Chris Mason Johnson drew on his own experiences as a dancer and his memories of the 1980s to craft the film. Shot on location in San Francisco, the film uses a muted color palette and naturalistic performances to evoke the period. Johnson deliberately avoided melodrama, instead focusing on the quiet anxieties of daily life under the shadow of AIDS. The dance sequences, choreographed by Sidra Bell, serve as a metaphor for the characters' emotional states.

Test received positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for its nuanced handling of a well-trodden subject. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an 86% approval rating based on 21 reviews, with an average rating of 7.1/10. The New York Times called it "a quiet, thoughtful film that captures the fear and uncertainty of the era without resorting to clichés."² It won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at the 2013 Outfest Fusion Film Festival and was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Limited Release.

The film is set in 1985, a year after the HIV virus was identified and the HIV test became available. At the time, a positive result was considered a death sentence, and the film captures the terror of waiting for results. The film also highlights the role of dance companies in the gay community, many of which were decimated by the epidemic. The film's title refers both to the HIV test and to the testing of one's character in the face of crisis.³

One lesser-known fact is that the film's choreographer, Sidra Bell, is a prominent figure in contemporary dance, and her work with the cast helped ground the performances in authentic movement. Additionally, the film was shot in just 18 days, a testament to the efficiency of the production. The film's soundtrack features original music by composer Ceiri Torjussen, who also scored Johnson's later film. The film's title sequence, which shows a dancer's body in silhouette, was designed to evoke the fragility of life during the epidemic. Another notable detail: the film's lead actor, Scott Marlowe, was a professional dancer before turning to acting, and his dance background is evident in the performance. The film also includes a cameo by legendary dancer and choreographer Merce Cunningham's company member, though this is often overlooked.

HIV test

A blood test that detects antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus; in 1985, the test was newly available and results took weeks.

Frameline Film Festival

The oldest LGBTQ film festival in the world, held annually in San Francisco.

GLAAD Media Award

An award presented by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to recognize media for fair and accurate representation of the LGBTQ community.