The Alpha Test (2020) Review

The Alpha Test (2020) Review

A suburban family drives their new gadget, The Alpha Home Assistant, to a killing rampage after mistreating and abusing it, leading to a full A.I. uprising.

The subject of robots helping out humankind has been a regular staple for some time now. Recently there has been 2050 (2018) and LIKE LIFE (2017) both of which failed to hit the mark and as TV’s WESTWORLD kicks off another season there’s now THE ALPHA TEST testing similar waters albeit with more of a horror flick leaning. Initially director Aaron Mirtes film proves to be low-budget trashy fun but like the aforementioned 2050 and LIKE LIFE it soon outstays its welcome.

To begin with I could overlook the film’s flaws such as why anyone would create a robotic home-help that looks as creepy as hell rather than something more aesthetically appealing. There’s also the small matter of an entire household of men that have been decimated at the start of the film, a grisly event that is apparently never investigated or reported. THE ALPHA TEST becomes rather wearisome as characters repeatedly tell each other (and us) that the robotic home help is not human and therefore doesn’t have feelings. Yep, we got that first time around thanks, there’s no need to keep saying it.

On the plus side the score is terrific, the acting better than other lower budget offerings and there’s some fun to be had with the (often done before) premise. However once the set-up and constant exposition has made way for violent action the pacing veers off, the film loses traction consequently losing your attention too.

OFFICIAL TRAILER