Test, streaming now on Netflix, brings together three powerhouse actors — Siddharth, Nayanthara, and R Madhavan — but unfortunately, this relationship drama falters under weak writing and soap-opera-level storytelling.

Plot: Life Imitating Cricket

Arjun (Siddharth), an out-of-form cricketer, Kumudha (Nayanthara), a schoolteacher yearning for motherhood, and Saravanan (R Madhavan), a struggling scientist, find their lives intertwined through unexpected circumstances. Cricket serves as both a metaphor and a motif, framing the trio’s difficult personal choices.

There’s Kumudha played by Nayanthara. She is a teacher who wants to become a mother. She is married to Saravanan, played by R Madhavan, a struggling scientist on the lookout for funds for his ambitious environmental project.

Kumudha and Saravanan are trying to conceive a child via IVF while balancing their financial needs.

Kumudha meets Arjun at her school where his son studies. They happened to be childhood friends, who grew distant over time.

As the story progresses, these three lives intertwine and each one faces a difficult choice.

Test cricket is a metaphor for life here and also a leitmotif in the story.

Debutant director S Sashikanth, who has also written the story with Suman Kumar, aims for fascinating character studies of choices and consequences but the writing is so inert and lacking any complex touches that you barely stay invested.

Direction and Writing: Ambitious But Shallow

Debut director S Sashikanth aims for a poignant exploration of relationships, choices, and consequences, but the inert screenplay lacks complexity and emotional depth. A sudden, ill-conceived plot twist turns the drama into a glossy, melodramatic mess, more amusing than engaging.

Performances: Underwhelming Despite the Talent

• Siddharth delivers a restrained performance but struggles against a half-baked character arc.
• Nayanthara has emotional moments, but Kumudha’s motivations feel underexplored.
• R Madhavan tries to add weight to Saravanan’s struggles, but the writing undercuts his efforts.
• Meera Jasmine as Arjun’s wife, Padma, is wasted in a shallowly written role.

Missed Opportunities: A Better Script Could Have Changed Everything

With tighter storytelling and better character development, Test could have been a gripping exploration of ambition, loyalty, and personal sacrifice. Instead, it’s an inert, tedious narrative that tests audience patience more than it engages their hearts or minds.

Final Verdict: Should You Watch Test?

If you’re in for compelling performances, there are brief moments of promise. But as a complete film, Test fails to rise above its shallow writing and predictable twists.

Rediff Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐☆☆☆

Test is now streaming on Netflix. Watch it only if you’re a fan of the star cast — or better, revisit stronger relationship dramas instead.