Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gory YA horror movie is better at characters than zombies.
Parents Need to Know
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Where to Watch
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This Is Not a Test
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THIS IS NOT A TEST, it's 1998 in the small town of Cortege, and Sloane (Olivia Holt) is at the end of her rope. She suffers at the hands of an abusive father, and her older sister, her lifeline, has left. As Sloane considers suicide, a ruckus comes from outside the house, and then a woman with a bloody mouth gets inside and bites Sloane's father, turning him into a zombie like her. Sloane slays both monsters and escapes. She finds four other high school students—Rhys (Froy Gutierrez), Cary (Corteon Moore), and twins Grace (Chloe Avakian) and Trace (Carson MacCormac)—and they agree to take cover inside the high school. Once there, tensions arise between the teens, as well as from the threat of the zombie horde outside.
Is It Any Good?
It's only a so-so zombie flick, but this horror thriller is still a pretty good YA movie, character-focused and in tune with the teens' troubles, frustrations, cares, and concerns. Adapted from the same-named YA novel by Courtney Summers that was originally published in 2012 (and later expanded), This Is Not a Test starts strong, throwing viewers right into the proceedings. We see Sloane with a farewell letter, and it may take a moment to sink in that it's her farewell letter. The first zombie attack comes quickly, and there's no explanation for the outbreak.
So far, so good. Writer-director Adam MacDonald also makes good use of flashbacks to show Sloane's relationship with her sister, underlining just how important it is. So we're with Sloane the whole way, and it doesn't hurt that Holt gives a strong, touching performance. (It's quite a different turn than her previous horror outings, Totally Killer and Heart Eyes.) But the movie moves in fits and starts from there as viewers slowly learn about the other characters, pausing for a few routine zombie attacks. There's also the requisite exploration of the school and some bickering, but when the filmmakers focus on the characters, which is more often than not, then This Is Not a Test passes with flying colors.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about This Is Not a Test's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
How does the movie address serious issues like suicide and abuse? What resources are available to help people in crisis? (If you or someone you love needs help, you can contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.)
How do the characters and story demonstrate the importance of courage? Teamwork?
How are the zombies used as a metaphor in the story? Can you think of other movies that have used them in a similar way?
What does the story suggest about finding reasons to keep going even when things feel overwhelming?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 20, 2026
- On DVD or streaming : March 13, 2026
- Cast : Olivia Holt , Froy Gutierrez , Corteon Moore
- Director : Adam MacDonald
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studios : IFC Films , Shudder
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Book Characters , Dystopia , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Fantasy ( Monsters ) , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Teamwork
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong bloody violence, gore, suicide, language, some sexuality and brief teen drinking
- Last updated : March 3, 2026
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