Movie Review: ‘This Is Not A Test’

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Review by James Lindorf

With the speed at which some books are turned into a television series or film, it is shocking that a story Publishers Weekly described as “The Breakfast Club meets George Romero” took 14 years to reach the screen. Canadian author Courtney Summers’ novel “This Is Not a Test” was first published in 2012 by St. Martin’s Press, receiving good reviews and a couple of award nominations. In 2024, when the rights reverted to Summers, she released a revised and expanded definitive edition of the novel. To give her fans more of this world and tie in with the film, Summers released a sequel novella, “Please Remain Calm,” on January 13th. The story stayed in Canadian hands, with Writer and Director Adam MacDonald helming the project, which filmed in the Toronto area. “This Is Not a Test” will begin a limited theatrical run on February 20th, courtesy of the Independent Film Company, before heading to its streaming home, Shudder.

Sloane Price (Olivia Holt) has had a rough childhood thanks to her controlling and physically abusive father (Jeff Roop). His behavior eventually drove away Sloane’s mother and older sister Lily (Joelle Farrow), leaving her alone and suicidal. Things go from bad to worse when the zombie apocalypse comes to her hometown and drives her from the family home as well. Sloane goes in search of Lily before being forced to take refuge in her high school with four other students. She is joined by the Casper twins, Grace (Chloe Avakian) and Trace (Carson MacCormac), Cary (Corteon Moore), the group’s unofficial leader, and Rhys (Froy Gutierrez), a potential love interest. As danger relentlessly pounds on the doors, Sloane begins to see the world through the eyes of people who actually want to live and takes matters into her own hands. The supporting cast of “This Is Not a Test” includes Luke Macfarlane, Perez Tieku, and Missy Peregrym.

“This Is Not a Test” is an R-rated film, but it feels like Zombies 101 for a younger or at least uninitiated audience, and there is a lot of material to cover. Fast zombies, slow zombies, possibly smart zombies, finding and losing the will to live, good strangers and bad ones, MacDonald finds time for it all during the 102-minute runtime. There is gore, but it isn’t gross; there is violence, but it’s not the point or glorified; it really is the kitchen sink of zombie films. It is easy to watch and figure out what you like and what you would want to explore further in other films. Do you like the comedic moments? Then “Shaun of the Dead” is for you. If you want to focus on the despair and isolation of the apocalypse, then maybe you’ll love “The Night Eats the World.” If you want to compare fast vs. slow zombies, watch both the Romero and Zach Snyder versions of “Dawn of the Dead.”

There is too much going on to scratch below the surface of any of the ideas or characters beyond Sloane, and even she doesn’t get the time she deserves. Thankfully, the cast, led by Holt, is up to the task as their characters face a multitude of pressures while the world, both personal and on a larger scale, falls apart around them. Holt does a very good job from the opening scene, where we are given a glimpse into her desperation, and having that moment is possibly the best decision made in the entire film. Without it, it would be hard to be fully on her side in the first half of the movie, and that could be more than enough to lose most viewers. Most of the students’ drama centers on families to mirror Sloane’s everyday crisis. However, Cary is there to offer some social drama centered around leadership. The difficult calls that come with the position, and the deserved and undeserved credit and blame that follow.

All of the various elements of “This Is Not a Test” are done fairly well. The action is pretty good, but it too often relies on vigorous camera shaking to imply intensity. The gore is acceptable, but only the most squeamish would have to cover their eyes once or twice. Outside of Sloane’s father, the characters don’t fall into either extreme of good or bad behavior; they are just people trying to survive. This adds authenticity and allows the viewer to more easily insert themselves into the story. Still, it makes the film a little less dynamic. “This Is Not a Test” is an enjoyable film you want to love, but it unfortunately falls short of that lofty goal. Fewer people or elements, or more money and screen time, could have gotten the story to someplace special instead of the current 3 out of 5 it is now.

Rating: R (Suicide|Some Sexuality|Brief Teen Drinking|Language|Gore|Strong Bloody Violence)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Limited Theatrical): February 20th, 2026
Runtime: 1h 42m
Director: Adam MacDonald
Screenwriter: Adam MacDonald
Producer: Cybill Lui, Adam MacDonald
Distributor: Independent Film Company
Production Co:WorldOne Entertainment, BondIt Media Capital, Blue Fox Entertainment, Anova Pictures, North Avenue Pictures