Award-winning gay bodybuilding drama starring Glee’s Mr Schue is coming
Test is a gay bodybuilding drama (YouTube/Sam McConnell)
Gay bodybuilding drama Test has found distributors in the US and Canada, with a theatrical release scheduled for 2027.
The film is directed by Sam McConnell and written by and starring Brock Yurich, who plays Eddie. Michael Repsch, president of distributors Dark Star Pictures, said, as reported by Variety: “We’re thrilled to bring this film to audiences across the country.”
Repsch also called Test “a bold and compelling film that offers a fresh perspective on the traditional sports drama,” adding McConnell crafted “a powerful story about identity, ambition and the pressures of living up to expectations”.
What is Test about?
Set in the competitive world of amateur bodybuilding, Test follows Eddie, a closeted man from small-town Ohio who lives with his religious mother, played by Tammy Blanchard, and earns money as a cam model, while dreaming of physical perfection.
As he starts working with a celebrated coach and revives a past relationship, things begin to look up for him.
It also stars Glee‘s very own Mr Schue, Matthew Morrison, as Pastor Gregg, Orange is the New Black star Evan Hall, Mike Edward, and Paloma Garcia-Lee.
McConnell said: “Test is a film about finding the strength to be your true self and recognizing your own worth… themes that resonate deeply with me and make this story especially meaningful. Sharing the film with audiences at festivals around the world has been the most rewarding experience of my career, and I’m thrilled to partner with Dark Star Pictures, whose belief in Test and commitment to a robust theatrical release will allow even more audiences to discover the film as we intended… on the big screen.”
When will Test be released?
Test had its world premiere at SXSW London earlier in 2026 and later screened at Provincetown International Film Festival, Frameline, Outfest Los Angeles and Deauville American Film Festival.
It received the Audience Award for best narrative feature at Provincetown, was given the Jury Award for outstanding first narrative feature at Frameline, took home the Emerging Narrative Feature Award at Queer Screen in Sydney, and secured the Canal+ Jury Prize at Deauville.
Details of a wider release have not yet been confirmed.
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
