Dark Star Pictures Picks Up Queer Bodybuilding Drama ‘Test’

In a move that’s sparking chatter on both the indie‑film circuit and among LGBTQ‑focused audiences, Dark Star Pictures announced it will distribute Sam McConnell’s new drama Test across the United States and Canada. The deal, sealed this week, paves the way for a theatrical launch sometime in 2027.

Written by and starring Brock Yurich – best known for his turn in Goat – the film follows Eddie, a shy kid from a small Ohio town who hides his queer identity while chasing the muscle‑bound dream of amateur bodybuilding. When he’s forced to juggle a demanding, devoutly religious mother (Tammy Blanchard) and a side hustle as a cam model, his obsession with the gym becomes both a refuge and a battleground.

Under the guidance of a celebrated coach and after a chance reunion with an old flame, Eddie’s world seems to finally click into place. But the story doesn’t stay simple for long. As competition pressure mounts, the lure of performance‑enhancing drugs, the weight of religious guilt, and an unexpected queer awakening all converge, threatening to shatter the very identity he’s been building.

The cast reads like a love‑letter to contemporary television and stage talent: Matthew Morrison of Glee, Paloma Garcia‑Lee from West Side Story, Evan Hall of Orange Is the New Black, and Mike Edward (who’s popping up in M3GAN 2.0) all pop up in supporting roles. Their performances have been praised for adding layers of authenticity to a story that’s already raw and heartfelt.

“Test” made its debut at SXSW London earlier this year and hasn’t looked back. It scooped the Audience Award at Provincetown International Film Festival, snagged the Jury Award for Outstanding First Narrative Feature at Frameline, took home the Emerging Narrative Feature Award at Queer Screen in Sydney, and earned the Canal+ Jury Prize at the Deauville American Film Festival. The film will next hit the screen at NewFest in New York on October 21.

“‘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 echoed the sentiment, noting, “It’s a film about finding the strength to be your true self and recognizing your own worth – themes that resonate deeply with me. Sharing the film at festivals has been the most rewarding part of my career, and partnering with Dark Star means we can finally let people see it on the big screen, exactly as we intended.”

The acquisition was negotiated by Repsch and Bill Straus of Bridge Independent on behalf of the filmmakers. Production credits go to Tandem Pictures and Hardball Entertainment, with Julie Christeas, Daryl Freimark and Brock Yurich producing, and Jim McCauley, Sam McConnell and Derek Strum serving as executive producers.