Common Sense Media Review
By Jose Solis
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sports thriller with some language and kids in peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
TEST
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Arjun (Siddharth) is a cricket player trying to cope with his age and feelings of irrelevance. Kumudha (Nayanthara) is a sensitive teacher trying to have a baby, while her husband Saravanan (R. Madhavan) is in desperate need of funding for a lifelong project. Their lives intersect during a fateful cricket match where their passions and dreams are put to the TEST, as they each must decide what are the values that define them.
Is It Any Good?
Merging film genres can sometimes lead to fascinating results, but as this Tamil-language sports thriller shows, that isn't always the case. Although TEST starts off as a fascinating character study in which the inner lives of three very different people are explored, the film falls apart when the director S. Sashikanth (who co-wrote the film with Suman Kumar) adds thriller elements, turning it into a muddled mess.
The film's main issue (in addition to the excessive running time) is that the genres clash. The sober character study is encumbered by the forced thriller elements, and scenes of great emotional drama are intercut with moments that feel almost comedic when contrasted. Not even the great performances by Siddharth, R. Madhavan, and especially Nayanthara (who delivers a heartbreaking portrait of unfulfilled motherly love) can save a film that never truly knows what it wants to be.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Kumudha shows compassion even to those who have hurt her. What is admirable about her behavior?
What advice would you give to Arjun and Saravanan about the decisions they make? How would you act if you were in their shoes?
Kumudha is a teacher who shows great interest in the well-being of her students. Do you have similar teachers in your life?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : April 4, 2025
- Cast : R. Madhavan , Nayanthara , Siddharth
- Director : S. Sashikanth
- Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian Movie Director(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 145 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : May 14, 2025
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