Movie: Drop
Release Date: April 11, 2025
Director: Christopher Landon
Runtime: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Genre: Thriller
Rating: B+
Everyone has most likely gone on a bad first date, but probably not one involving blackmail and murder. Director Christopher Landon turns a deceptively simple premise into a taut, tech-fueled nightmare, transforming a charming dinner into a ticking time bomb in "Drop". Anchored by Meghann Fahy’s fierce performance, the movie is sharp, suspenseful and just self-aware enough to have fun without losing its edge.
The film follows Violet Gates (Meghann Fahy), a widowed mother whose dinner date with photographer Henry Campbell (Brandon Sklenar) takes a dark turn when she receives threatening "Digi-Drop"— a fictional version of AirDrop — messages demanding she kill Henry or lose her son (Jacob Robinson).
As the night unravels into a deadly game of cat and mouse, Violet is forced to make impossible choices with devastating stakes.
One of the film’s most striking elements is its use of technology, which becomes an active force rather than a passive backdrop. Incoming messages flash across the screen, making the threat feel omnipresent, while AirDrop, typically seen as a harmless convenience, is reimagined as a tool of manipulation and control. It’s a subtle but chilling effect, turning the familiar into something deeply unsettling.
The pacing is another strength of "Drop". Each scene builds on the last, escalating the tension and keeping the audience on edge. While this keeps the audience engaged, it can also make the suspense feel less sustained, as the narrative doesn’t always build at a consistent pace.
Though "Drop" is undeniably thrilling, it carries undertones of dark humor, yet not in the same vein as Landon’s previous films like "Happy Death Day" or "Freaky." The humor is more subtle and can feel out of place sometimes when compared to the thriller aspects of the film, which can make for an awkward viewing experience.
Fahy's performance really anchors the film, however. Her portrayal of Violet is a grounded, nuanced take on a woman forced to confront not only the immediate threat before her but also her traumatic past.
Violet’s behavior is shaped by her history as a survivor of domestic abuse, which adds a layer of complexity to her character. Fahy masterfully balances Violet’s inner turmoil, providing subtle nods to her past without overwhelming the narrative.
Sklenar delivers a strong performance as Henry, the seemingly perfect date, though the character occasionally feels more like a polished Ken doll than a fully developed person. His unwavering calm as the night unravels can stretch believability, but Sklenar brings enough warmth to make Henry a key player in Violet’s spiraling paranoia.
The high-rise restaurant setting heightens the film’s thrills. Its sleek design, characterized by minimalist décor, floor-to-ceiling windows and dim, ambient lighting, amplifies Violet’s paranoia as she becomes more desperate to unmask the person behind the threats The camera work and cinematography further enhance this feeling, focusing on tight angles and close-ups to mirror Violet's increasing isolation and sense of danger.
While central to Violet's character, the film’s exploration of domestic abuse lacks the depth it deserves. Though her trauma shapes her actions, the emotional weight is never fully explored, leaving the theme underdeveloped and missing the opportunity for a more emotionally rich narrative.
Ultimately, "Drop" is a well-crafted, thrilling experience that combines technology with suspense, all while grounded by a standout performance from Fahy. It’s a movie that keeps you on edge, full of twists and turns. While the deeper themes could have been more fully realized, and the pacing occasionally feels uneven, the film succeeds in delivering an exhilarating ride that is both entertaining and chilling.