I love a good thriller, but one that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Christopher Landon’s Drop fits the bill. Drop is an easy to watch film that doesn’t waste time on multiple locations. Primarily set within the confines of the protagonist’s home and a chic Chicago restaurant, the film’s limited locations enhance its claustrophobic tension. At a concise 100 minutes, it delivers a taut narrative without unnecessary filler
Drawing inspiration from classic thrillers while incorporating contemporary elements, Drop features Meghann Fahy (The White Lotus) as Violet, a woman grappling with a traumatic past. Brandon Sklenar (It Ends with Us) portrays Henry, her charming date, with notable performances from Ed Weeks (The Mindy Project) and others rounding out the cast.
The film opens with a jarring flashback to Violet’s harrowing experience with an abusive partner, culminating in a murder—or so it seems. Now widowed, Violet ventures back into the dating scene, meeting Henry for dinner. As he runs late, she waits at the bar, where she begins receiving unsettling messages via the ‘DigiDrop’ app
At first she ignores the drops concentrating on her date with Henry. Fahy and Sklenar have great chemistry and for a brief time are a fun and flirty couple to watch. Once Violet begins accepting the messages though, her attention shifts and the terror beings as she sees that her only child, Toby, is being threatened if she doesn’t do exactly what her anonymous stalker tells her to do – which is kill Henry.
What happens next is what makes the movie so compelling, so no more spoilers. The tension in Drop revolves around Violet being isolated in her fear since she can’t tell anyone, least of all her date, what is going on. The small ensemble cast ensures that each character plays a pivotal role in the unfolding drama.
Most of Drop revolves around Violet’s desperate attempts to comply without alerting those around her. She is alone in her terror, thwarted in her attempts to seek help at every turn. The tension builds and although there are very few surprises if you love thrillers. It has the twists and turns that you expect, but thanks to Fahy, it never seems contrived. She makes the movie – she plays every emotion from flirtation to fear without it ever seeming fake.
Landon’s direction ensures a well-paced, suspenseful experience. In some respects, Drop evokes memories of Die Hard, with Violet embodying the reluctant hero who must rise to the occasion. This film serves as an ideal choice if you are seeking an entertaining, edge-of-your-seat thriller. While it may not be an Oscar contender, Drop fulfills its promise of delivering a gripping cinematic ride, and sometimes that is exactly what you need.
Drop is in-theatres near you on April 11, 2025.
