'This Is Not a Test' Wants You to Come of Age in the Zombie Apocalypse

This is Not a Test

This is Not a Test, based on the 2012 novel by Courtney Summers, is trying to be several things at once – a dystopian YA film, a pulpy horror movie and a teenage character study. The film, unfortunately, only partially succeeds on the first note, due to Olivia Holt’s fantastic presence in the lead role, and many of director/screenwriter Adam MacDonald’s choices do little to strengthen a disorganized narrative. The film begins with a zombie epide…

'This Is Not a Test' Wants You to Come of Age in the Zombie Apocalypse

Courtesy of Independent Film Company/Shudder A good zombie movie can work wonders. Ironically enough, a solid bout with the undead can leave audiences feeling refreshed and wholly, unequivocally alive again. This Is Not a Test, written and directed by underrated horror mainstay Adam MacDonald (Backcountry, Pyewacket), is a good zombie movie. It’s also, despite its YA origins (Courtney Summers wrote the novel), one of the most ceaselessly downer …