Watch Test Pattern

Test Pattern is a drama film written and directed by Shatara Michelle Ford that explores the dynamics of a relationship between a young interracial couple who find themselves negotiating a broken healthcare system in America. The movie stars Brittany S. Hall as Renesha, a black woman who works as a software engineer in Austin, and her boyfriend Evan, played by Will Brill. When Renesha is sexually assaulted while out at a club with Evan, the film takes on a highly nuanced and complex look at not only the aftermath of sexual assault but also the systemic racism that exists in American healthcare.

The film opens with Renesha and Evan in the early stages of their relationship, happy and carefree. As they move through their lives together, Renesha becomes the victim of a sexual assault. The incident is shown to the audience in a thoughtful and delicate manner that drives home the trauma experienced by survivors of sexual assault. What happens next becomes the central focus of the entire movie. Renesha requires medical attention, but getting it proves to be difficult. She finds herself dealing with a complicated healthcare system that is riddled with institutional racism.

The movie deals with the intersection of class, race, and healthcare, and how the healthcare system works against the marginalized communities that it is supposed to serve. Renesha is a software engineer of color and therefore seemingly belongs to the so-called privileged class. However, when sexual assault leaves her in need of medical attention, her class status means little. She is still a black woman in a system that is designed to dismiss her needs and prioritize the needs of white men.

The film unfolds in a nonlinear manner, which allows the audience to see the different ways in which Renesha's attempts to seek help are thwarted in various settings. We see her trying to explain her symptoms to a white and male-dominated healthcare system that does not believe her. The healthcare system that Renesha turns to becomes defined by its proclivity to deny her care. Oftentimes, she is shown as trying to navigate a minefield of obstacles, including unhelpful nurses, microaggressions, and outright racism.

Test Pattern is a powerful and emotional film that does not shy away from its tough subject matter. The director effectively delves into the nuances of institutional racism, sexual assault, and their intersectionality with class. Test Pattern's vulnerability and honesty are what make it an essential work of cinema. The two lead actors, Brittany S. Hall and Will Brill, offer nuanced performances that allow the audience to experience the story's emotional thread.

Ultimately, Test Pattern tackles a significant issue that is often swept under the rug in society while humanizing the experience of the survivors of sexual assault. The film reflects a deep understanding of systems of oppression, racism, and gender-based violence. The power of Ford's storytelling is evident throughout the movie, and her unique directing style elevates the film to something truly special. Although the film's ending is open to interpretation, what is clear is that the experience Renesha has had, while rooted in reality in America, can be considered traumatic, one that will continue to affect her and her partner's lives for a long time to come.

Overall, Test Pattern is a poignant examination of race, class, and violence against women. In conclusion, the film is an honest and raw depiction of the power dynamics between Renesha and Evan in a world where those dynamics are constantly shifting. It paints a picture of how racism, institutional or otherwise, is present in every major institution, even when those institutions are mandated to serve equally. The film is a call to action against the oppressive systems that have been allowed to fester for too long.

Test Pattern is a 2019 drama. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 81.