Mikes Film Talk

Writer/Director Jaschar Marktanner gives us the 2025 sci-fi film Turing Test. In this instance, it’s a case of “fool me once, shame on you,” indefinitely. For those who may not know, the Turing test shows if an AI can fool people. The entity must pass as a human being. This short, creepy, tale raises a few questions and answers very little.

Turing Test the Story

Sophie is desperate to have Alan pass the Turing test. She feels that time is running out. Alan seemingly wants to play games and her patience is becoming very thin indeed.

The Turing Test Cast

Marlene Fahnster is Sophie.

Richard Lingscheidt is Alan.

Ozen Fidan is Henry.

Let’s Talk

The Turing test, also known as the Imitation Game, is what, presumably, Blade Runner based its version of the “game.” In that world, the “Voight-Kampff” questions are made to help find replicants. In Marktanner’s world, their test is set up to fool a panel of people. The panel must believe that the AI communicating with them is human.

The purpose is the exact opposite of the premise behind the 1982 film. Here the scientists expect their AI to put one over on a specially selected panel. Sophie is interrogating Alan to measure their progress.

The setting, a sterile featureless room is actually part of a virtual reality space. There is nothing to distract the two “players” of this imitation game.

Sophie is disturbing. She does not blink or affect any facial vagaries, there are no tics, no expressions. Even when she is telling Alan off for “playing games.” Alan is clearly in charge, he runs the conversation, much to Sophie’s annoyance.

Reading Between the Lines

We can see that something is amiss here. Neither of the characters has what can be deemed a personality. Each one is cold, clinical and, to be honest, slightly aggressive.

While watching the exchange, we ask ourselves, “Who is playing whom?”

The Verdict

Turing Test is a short, 6 minutes, clever tale. There are a couple of twists before the end that leave us questioning everything we’ve seen. Despite the inclination to feel this is an allusion to Philip K Dick’s creation. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The world’s increasing dependence on AI means that the technological community must polish their “human” creations. This film shows that They really have no control over these entities.

Turing Test is a solid 5 star treat. With a budget of just 1.5K euros, the film looks slick, polished and, for lack of a better word, virtual. It impresses and makes the viewer ask questions afterward. The film will soon be entering its festival run and we predict awards will be won.

Bravo.