TL;DR
- The official trailer for This Is Not a Test has dropped, previewing intense zombie horror and high-school survival action.
- The film stars Olivia Holt, Froy Gutierrez, Luke MacFarlane, and more.
- Itโs directed and written by Adam MacDonald, based on the YA novel by Courtney Summers.
- This Is Not a Test hits theaters on February 20, 2026 via Independent Film Company and Shudder.
What is This Is Not a Test about?
This Is Not a Test is an apocalyptic horrorโthriller that thrusts a group of high school students into an intense survival scenario amid a sudden zombie outbreak. The story follows Sloane Price (played by Heart Eyes star Olivia Holt) and her classmates as they take refuge in their high school โ only to discover that the real danger might be what happens when fear and desperation take over.
What does the new trailer show?
The recently released trailer plunges viewers into claustrophobic terror as zombies swarm outside the schoolโs doors, turning hallways into choke points and classrooms into battlegrounds. The footage highlights the filmโs blend of intense survival horror, emotional tension, and character conflict โ a tone that sets it apart from ordinary zombie flicks.
Whoโs in the cast and crew?
Directed and written by Adam MacDonald (Backcountry, Out Come the Wolves), the film features a strong ensemble cast, including:
- Olivia Holt as Sloane Price
- Froy Gutierrez (e.g., The Strangers: Chapter 1)
- Luke MacFarlane (Bros)
- Corteon Moore, Chloe Avakian, and Carson MacCormac rounding out the group facing the apocalypse.
The movie is adapted from the acclaimed YA novel of the same name by Courtney Summers, giving the horror story emotional depth alongside the thrills.
When and where is This Is Not a Test releasing?
This Is Not a Test will premiere in U.S. theaters on February 20, 2026, courtesy of Independent Film Company in partnership with Shudder, just ahead of the spring horror season. The film already premiered at film festivals in 2025 and has been building buzz with early reviews of its lead performances and gritty atmosphere.
