Desafios

Test (2025) : Movie Review -

It's good that the film was released on Netflix instead of in cinemas; otherwise, it would have been more difficult to see. It's messier than a boring cricket match and cheesier than a match-fixing racket. It's funny to see that the two sides have no literal alignment as they suddenly transform into heroes or villains and vice versa. Moreover, it's too long-about two and a half hours-yet still lacking in drama and action. That's your stretched Test cricket match in the T20 era.

Arjun (Siddharth) is India's best Test batsman in years but is now feeling the pressure of retirement. Sara (R. Madhavan) wants to start his project but has no money, while his wife, Kumudha (Nayanthara), is trying to have a child through IVF. With the final Test of the India vs. Pakistan series ahead, Arjun is asked to retire, but then a dramatic twist by him earns him another chance. However, what could be his last match is spoiled when Sara turns evil and kidnaps Arjun's son to prepare him for a match-fixing gang. Will Arjun be able to fight this on-and-off field?

The film has a messy screenplay that truly tests your patience with no exciting conflict. Every single element is predictable and tedious. The battle between good and evil and the choices between right and wrong constantly shift sides, making it an illogical affair. For instance, Kumudha is a big cricket fan and a huge admirer of Arjun, yet she suddenly transforms into a selfish woman. It's utterly ridiculous. Additionally, I never really understood the match-fixing theme in terms of logical reasoning on the cinematic horizon, because you can fix one batsman but not the other ten players from his team and eleven opponents. How do you expect the results to favor you with twenty-one predictable players on the field? The climax becomes corny, leaving you unsatisfied after spending almost 150 minutes on something that didn't really deserve it.

Performance-wise, R. Madhavan has done a decent job. Frankly, after seeing Vikram Vedha and Shaitaan, something like this feels underwhelming. Nayanthara was also okay here, but I expected more-from her as an actress and from the writer for her character, and both didn't deliver enough. Siddharth was the lead hero, but he is easily overshadowed by others. Meera Jasmine and Kali Venkat provided decent support in important roles, while Vinay Verma, MJ Ram, Aadukalam Murugadoss, Nassar, and others were hardly notable.

Almost every cricket film made in India shares the same issue of executing cricket matches and shots in cheap ways. They lack cinematic sense and value. Somehow, Kabir Khan's 83 (2020) came close to capturing the feel of an actual live match, while others have mostly approached it in a TV serial manner. Test is another film that lacks the cinematic essence of cricket matches. The cinematography and editing should have been better here, whereas the production design was fine. First, S. Sashikanth and Suman Kumar's writing disappoints, and then there's Sashikanth's direction. Test is dragged to the point where you lose interest in the film, only to start moving things accordingly to get the ending right. That's just not done, man. Even fixed cricket matches would have a better script and presentation than this. Skip Test and enjoy IPL instead.

RATING - 4/10*

No major spoilers - just a few thoughts on setup and structure.

I watched TEST on Netflix and found it underwhelming. "Meh" is probably the best way to put it.

I'm generally not a fan of films where money is the primary driver, unless the story is truly compelling. Movies like Ocean's 11 and Soodhu Kavvum didn't work for me. I prefer narratives like Blood Diamond or Catch Me If You Can, where character depth leads the way.

In TEST, cricket is central to the story, not just a side element. But even with that, the movie leans too heavily on the assumption that cricket alone will keep viewers engaged. This reminded me of The G. O. A. T., where cricket was thrown in randomly without adding value. In contrast, Lagaan succeeded because cricket supported a well-crafted story.

I watched the movie for Nayanthara, one of my favorites, but the plot didn't add up. A Boston MIT graduate running a canteen? That's how the film starts, logically unconvincing, not a spoiler. The pacing is slow, and the two parallel storylines take too long to intersect, which made me skip ahead at times.

Surprisingly, Siddharth, whom I usually find hard to tolerate, was actually okay in this role.

A few heartfelt conversations stood out, particularly where characters logically justify their actions. But those moments were too few to carry the film.

In the end, despite strong names like Madhavan and Nayanthara, TEST didn't quite pass for me.

"Test" (2025) showcases the undeniable talent of R. Madhavan, who delivers a stunning performance. However, the film is ultimately let down by a flat and unengaging storyline that fails to captivate the audience.

R. Madhavan commands the screen with his charisma and acting prowess. His portrayal of the character is nuanced and compelling, demonstrating his ability to elevate even a weak script.

Unfortunately, the film's narrative struggles to maintain interest. The story lacks originality and fails to offer any compelling plot developments or emotional depth. The pacing feels slow and uneven, making it difficult to stay invested in the characters' journeys.

The supporting cast, while capable, is given little to work with. The characters are underdeveloped and their relationships lack complexity, further contributing to the film's overall lack of engagement.

The film's technical aspects are adequate, with decent cinematography and a fitting soundtrack. However, these elements are not enough to compensate for the film's narrative shortcomings.

Despite Madhavan's stellar performance, "Test" is a disappointing cinematic experience. Its lack of engaging story and emotional depth makes it a film that is easily forgotten.

Wow. Just wow. It's truly a marvel how a film can assemble such a powerhouse cast-Nayantara, Siddharth, Madhavan-and still manage to produce something that feels like it was written during a power outage, possibly under the influence of... creative herbs. One has to genuinely applaud the person who pitched this script to these seasoned actors. That level of salesmanship? Unmatched. We're talking next-level persuasion-someone get this individual into international diplomacy immediately.

The script itself is a masterclass in monotony. It's almost impressive how consistently dull and uninspired it is. The Netflix India team must have a new approval strategy: spin a wheel, close your eyes, and greenlight whatever it lands on. Risky? Yes. Effective? Absolutely not.

As for the director and writer-daily soaps might be too ambitious. But hey, there's always the back pages of a local flyer or TikTok skits. Start small, dream big.

Gave it 3 stars though. Not for the movie-heavens, no-but as a small token of sympathy for the cast and crew who clearly signed up for something else entirely.

Test arrives with a promising cast and an intriguing premise centered around cricket, but unfortunately, it stumbles in execution. While the actors give solid performances, they're let down by a disjointed narrative and lackluster writing.

Sidharth's character, portraying a cricketer, feels like the weakest link. Rather than driving the story forward, his role feels bland and underwritten, lacking the emotional depth or arc needed to engage the audience. What's most frustrating is how the film teases cricket as a major theme, yet barely touches it until well into the second half, making the first hour feel like a slog.

The story itself is a confusing jumble, with scenes and subplots that don't seem to connect meaningfully. Dialogues are flat and uninspired, doing little to elevate the already muddled storytelling. Despite the potential, Test fails to capitalize on either its cast or its central theme, ending up as a movie that's more forgettable than impactful. Great cast, wasted potential. If you're a cricket fan, you'll be waiting too long for too little.