Dark Star Pictures Acquires Gay Bodybuilding Drama 'Test' for 2027 Release

Dark Star Pictures has acquired U.S. and Canadian distribution rights to "Test," the award-winning gay bodybuilding drama directed by Sam McConnell, with a 2027 theatrical release planned. The film next screens at NewFest in New York City on Oct. 21.

Brock Yurich wrote the screenplay in his feature debut and stars as Eddie, a closeted young man from small-town Ohio chasing a bodybuilding career. The cast includes Tammy Blanchard ("Into the Woods"), Matthew Morrison ("Glee"), Paloma Garcia-Lee ("West Side Story"), Evan Hall ("Orange Is the New Black") and Mike Edward ("M3GAN 2.0").

What is 'Test' about?

Set in the competitive world of amateur bodybuilding, the film follows Eddie, who lives with his emotionally demanding, devoutly religious mother (Blanchard) and earns money as a cam model. He channels his frustrations and desires into an obsessive devotion to his body. When he begins training under a renowned coach and rekindles an old romance, his future appears promising. But as he navigates an unexpected queer awakening, the pressures of competition, religious guilt and the dangerous world of performance-enhancing drugs threaten to unravel everything he has worked toward.

Yurich previously appeared in "Goat," Andrew Neel's 2016 fraternity-hazing drama.

How did the film perform on the festival circuit?

"Test" had its world premiere at SXSW London earlier this year. It has since screened at four major festivals and collected four awards:

• Audience Award for best narrative feature at Provincetown International Film Festival
• Jury Award for outstanding first narrative feature at Frameline
• Emerging Narrative Feature Award at Queer Screen in Sydney
• Canal+ Jury Prize at Deauville American Film Festival

The film also screened at Outfest Los Angeles. Its NewFest date on Oct. 21 marks its next public appearance before commercial release.

Tandem Pictures and Hardfall Entertainment — the production is credited to Tandem Pictures and Hardball Entertainment — produced the film, with Julie Christeas, Daryl Freimark and Yurich producing. Jim McCauley, McConnell and Derek Strum served as executive producers.

What did the buyers and filmmakers say?

"'Test' is a bold and compelling film that offers a fresh perspective on the traditional sports drama," said Michael Repsch, president of Dark Star Pictures. "Sam McConnell has crafted a powerful story about identity, ambition and the pressures of living up to expectations, anchored by outstanding performances from Brock Yurich and Tammy Blanchard. We're thrilled to bring this film to audiences across the country."

McConnell emphasized the film's personal resonance and the distributor's exhibition plans. "'Test' is a film about finding the strength to be your true self and recognizing your own worth — themes that resonate deeply with me and make this story especially meaningful," he said. "Sharing the film with audiences at festivals around the world has been the most rewarding experience of my career, and I'm thrilled to partner with Dark Star Pictures, whose belief in 'Test' and commitment to a robust theatrical release will allow even more audiences to discover the film as we intended — on the big screen."

Repsch negotiated the deal with Bill Straus of Bridge Independent on behalf of the filmmakers.

The acquisition signals a continued theatrical commitment to queer independent cinema: a four-time festival award winner will reach North American cinemas roughly two years after its London premiere, with Dark Star promising a robust big-screen rollout.