6 Best Screen Test and Casting Couch Movies

By Vlad Zakh · April 16, 2026

Hollywood’s own audition rooms and screen tests have inspired some of cinema’s sharpest self-examinations of ambition, exploitation, and stardom. In Sunset Boulevard (1950): A struggling screenwriter becomes entangled with a delusional, faded silent film star. Don’t overlook Mulholland Drive (2001): An amnesiac woman and an aspiring actress uncover dark secrets while investigating a car accident.

The Assistant (2019)

TMDB ★ 6.6

A young film production assistant grows increasingly disturbed by her powerful boss's predatory behavior.

Directed by Kitty Green · 1h 28m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, Hulu, Netflix Standard with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

TMDB ★ 7.6

A fading television actor and his stunt double navigate a changing Hollywood on the eve of the Manson murders.

Directed by Quentin Tarantino · 2h 42m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Mulholland Drive (2001)

TMDB ★ 7.9

An amnesiac woman and an aspiring actress uncover dark secrets while investigating a car accident.

Directed by David Lynch · 2h 27m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)

TMDB ★ 7.8

A ruthless Hollywood producer's manipulative rise is recounted by the collaborators he betrayed.

Directed by Vincente Minnelli · 1h 58m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

IMDb ★ 8.4 RT 98% Metacritic 94

A struggling screenwriter becomes entangled with a delusional, faded silent film star.

Directed by Billy Wilder · 1h 50m · Rated NR

Won 3 Oscars21 wins & 20 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, Kanopy, MGM Plus · Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

A Star Is Born (1937)

TMDB ★ 7.3

A rising actress's career eclipses that of her fading movie-star husband, with tragic consequences.

Directed by William A. Wellman · 1h 51m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Stream: Brew, Pure Flix, FlixFling, Great American Pure Flix Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, FlixFling

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Screen Test and Casting Couch Movies

The Assistant (2019)

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

Mulholland Drive (2001)

The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

A Star Is Born (1937)

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