Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Horror thriller

This Is Not a Test (2026): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

This Is Not a Test (2026) movie poster

This Is Not a Test is a 2026 horror thriller directed by Adam MacDonald, starring Jeff Roop as Sloane's father, Froy Gutierrez and Chloe Avakian. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $150,000 worldwide on a $3 million budget. Critics gave it 42% on Rotten Tomatoes and 36 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
42%
worldwide gross
$150K
Echo Score
30
Metascore
36
Loading streaming availability…
This Is Not a Test (2026) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 42m (102 min)
Director
Adam MacDonald
Genres
Horror , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$3M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is This Is Not a Test About?

The premise of This Is Not a Test without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

When a sudden apocalypse devastates their town, Sloane and a few classmates seal themselves inside the high school, hoping the walls will keep them safe. As danger pounds the doors, Sloane begins to see the world through the eyes of those who truly want to survive, and she takes decisive action to protect her friends and confront the threat.

Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

This Is Not a Test Cast & Characters

Jeff Roop leads the cast as Sloane's father, with Froy Gutierrez as Rhys and Chloe Avakian as Grace Casper. Directed by Adam MacDonald; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in This Is Not a Test

· 6 more
From the director

More from Adam MacDonald

More films directed by Adam MacDonald, best-rated first: Pyewacket, Backcountry and Out Come the Wolves.

Full filmography
Ratings

This Is Not a Test Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave This Is Not a Test 42% on Rotten Tomatoes and 36 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 30/100, strongest in sensory experience (38) and weakest in character & emotion (28).

30 /100

This Is Not a Test Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, the film registers as a largely ineffective entry in the zombie genre, hindered by unremarkable craftsmanship and flimsy storytelling. Critics and viewers alike note a reliance on familiar tropes, limited emotional engagement, and technical shortcuts that undermine immersion. While a few observers appreciate its thematic ambition, the dominant impression is one of missed potential and limited appeal for repeat viewings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 32

    In terms of art and craft, the production displays a modest technical competence but lacks visual distinction. Reviewers point to cheap-looking sets, artificial zombie designs, and a B‑movie aesthetic that detract from polish. Direction and editing are described as functional rather than inventive, resulting in a respectable yet uninspired visual presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 28

    When evaluating character and emotion, the film falls short of delivering compelling performances. Critics and users criticize flat acting, underdeveloped personalities, and dialogue that feels forced. Although a minority note moments of attachment to the protagonist, the prevailing view is that characters lack depth and fail to generate meaningful emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 34

    The story and flow are viewed as formulaic and predictable, with a plot that telegraphs twists and offers little tension. Reviewers highlight a sloppy script, repetitive scenes, and an over‑reliance on genre conventions that weaken narrative momentum. Some appreciate its fidelity to source material, yet overall the storytelling is considered weak.

  • Sensory Experience 38

    Sensory experience receives mixed feedback, with occasional praise for effective gore sequences but frequent criticism of sound design and visual fidelity. Viewers describe the soundtrack as unremarkable and the visual style as cheap, noting fake zombie appearances. The limited sensory impact contributes to a generally lukewarm auditory and visual impression.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    Rewatch factor is low, as many reviewers label the film boring, repetitive, and lacking in sustained suspense. While a small subset finds the thematic angle intriguing enough for a second look, the consensus is that the movie offers little incentive for repeat viewings, diminishing its lasting appeal.

Plot

This Is Not a Test Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in This Is Not a Test from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

On a December morning in 1998, Sloane Price contemplates the unthinkable, reading a suicide note and preparing to end her life in the bathtub, when her Sloane’s father—a verbally and physically abusive presence—calls for breakfast. A frantic, screaming woman at the door jolts the household into motion, and he urges them to leave. But as Sloane steps into the street, she witnesses zombies swarming the neighborhood, and one of the creatures breaks into the home through a shattered window. The brutal confrontation between her father and the undead ends with him being bitten in the left arm and, in a last desperate act, him choosing to kill a zombie by driving a shard of broken glass into its eye. Shocked by the violence, Sloane escapes, leaving her infected father behind.

Full summary

The whole story of This Is Not a Test, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

This Is Not a Test Box Office & Budget

This Is Not a Test grossed $150,000 worldwide on a $3 million budget, 5% of what it cost. $213,951 came from the US and Canada and $5,711 (3%) from the rest of the world.

2026 box office

Worldwide gross

$150K

5% of its budget back

US & Canada
$214K
International
$5.7K
Budget
$3M
US & Canada 97% Rest of the world 3%
Videos

This Is Not a Test Trailers & Videos

The trailer of This Is Not a Test.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know This Is Not a Test?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In what year is the story set?

Details

This Is Not a Test Also Known As

4 alternative titles, including “Ngày Học Cuối Cùng” and “Това не е тест”.

Also known as
  • Ngày Học Cuối Cùng
  • Това не е тест
  • 这不是演习
  • ขังนรกมัธยมซอมบี้

Seen This Is Not a Test?

FAQ

This Is Not a Test FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of This Is Not a Test, each answered in a sentence.

How long is This Is Not a Test?

This Is Not a Test runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).

When was This Is Not a Test released?

This Is Not a Test was released on February 20, 2026.

Who directed This Is Not a Test?

This Is Not a Test was directed by Adam MacDonald.

More films by Adam MacDonald

Who is in the cast of This Is Not a Test?

This Is Not a Test stars Jeff Roop as Sloane's father, Froy Gutierrez as Rhys and Chloe Avakian as Grace Casper, among 10 credited actors.

How much did This Is Not a Test make at the box office?

This Is Not a Test grossed $150,000 worldwide ($213,951 domestic, $5,711 international) on a budget of $3 million.

How is This Is Not a Test rated?

This Is Not a Test has 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, 36 on Metacritic, 56% on TMDB and 2.3/5 on Letterboxd.

Does This Is Not a Test have a post-credit scene?

No. This Is Not a Test has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app