Exam

Exam is a British thriller film written by Simon Garrity and Stuart Hazeldine, directed by Stuart Hazeldine and stars Colin Salmon, Jimi Mistry, Luke Mably and Gemma Chan. The plot is based on the play The Grönholm method by Jordi Galcerán Ferrer. This play inspired the screenwriter Mateo Gil and the director/screenwriter Marcelo Piñeyro to write the screenplay for the Spanish movie El método, already released in 2005.


Eight talented candidates have reached the final stage of selection to join the ranks of a mysterious and powerful corporation. Entering a windowless room, a man gives them eighty minutes to answer one simple question. He outlines three rules they must obey or be disqualified: "If you try to communicate with myself or the guard... If you spoil your paper intentionally or accidentally... if you choose to leave this room for any reason you will be disqualified." He starts the clock and leaves. The candidates turn over their question papers, only to find they're completely blank.

It's essentially a stage play for sci-fi and language nerds, as the characters, given a set of rules at the outset, analyze the Invigilator's opening statement as a whole, word by word, sentence by sentence, clause by clause, trying to use it as a behavioral guide and a clue as they attempt to figure out the elusive question. They make alliances among themselves, then break them; reveal clues about themselves that sometimes turn out to be lies; and gradually forget basic rules of polite interaction as their desperation grows. This must be a hell of a job.

The film premiered in June 2009 as part of the Edinburgh Film Festival and was then part of the Raindance Film Festival 2009. It was released in UK cinemas on 8 January 2010.
On 11 February 2010, IFC Films acquired the rights for the US release where it released as part of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The DVD and Blu-Ray were released in the UK on 7 June 2010. There was no theatrical release in the US, but IFC Films released the film via video on demand on 23 July 2010 and on DVD on November 16, 2010.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the movie received 62% positive reviews out of 29 reviews, with an average rating of 5.9 out of 10.