In ‘The Test’, director Kyzen Del Aguia reimagines the birth of the Rorschach test, dragging us deep into the early 20th century Zurich, where the line between scientific inquiry and the human psyche blurs like ink on the page.
Tyler Toppings, as Hermann Rorschach, doesn’t just act – he inhabits the role with an intensity that’s downright hypnotic. Toppings’ portrayal is raw and unflinching, capturing Rorschach’s obsession with unlocking the minds of those society had cast aside. Every twitch, every furrowed brow, radiates a desperation to understand, to heal, to connect with the schizophrenic patients who become his muses.
Opposite him, Thomas Thorson’s Francis Cougat provides a perfect counterbalance – an artist attempting to help Rorschach interpret the artistic paintings and symbols. Their dialogue-heavy exchanges are electric, dense with the weight of pioneering discovery.
The film’s aesthetic is respectfully crafed. Aaron Sinclair and Dev Panchal’s cinematography deserve praise. The early classic setting is captured with a richness that’s almost tactile, with the production design rooting us firmly in a world of academia.
‘The Test’ is an historical drama propelled by Toppings’ extraordinary performance and Del Aguia’s evocative storytelling. A short film that fascinates and entertains. Highly recommended.
