- Date of Release: 11 April 2025
- Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
- Language: English
- Watch On: Theatres Only
Drop
Introduction
I love an atmospheric thriller, one that plays out within a set environment. Doesn’t over promise, doesn’t under deliver. It is EXACTLY what it is – a thrilling ride for around 100 minutes, full of twists and turns, some of which may not make sense to you and I, but will keep you hooked. Drop is exactly that. And then some. It’s almost two atmospheric thrillers loaded into one. I shall explain in the review (don’t worry, no spoilers).
Story
Violet (a stellar Meghann Fahy) is a single mother, going on a first date for the first time in a while, following an abusive relationship. While the date itself is going well enough, she gets a mysterious message – that she has to kill her date, otherwise her son and sister Jen (Violett Beane) will be killed. To prove his/her point, the killer even kills a couple of people in the restaurant.
Her date Henry (Brandon Skelenar) is apparently oblivious to the going ons on his date as well. Nor is Violet aware of WHY she is supposed to kill Henry in the first place. But she can’t even tell him, or ask him the same, because the killer is apparently within their earshot. If this weren’t enough for a survival thriller, there’s another movie going on within this movie – that of her sister Jen trying to survive against an intruder, and trying to save her son. Which presents our protagonist with a moral dilemma – should she just kill this seemingly innocent man to save her family? Or should she resist the urge to murder?
Screenplay & Direction
Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach’s screenplay keeps you guessing right till the end. Some of the twists aren’t as satisfying as the others, but most of them are definitely unexpected. The screenplay also doesn’t infantilise the characters in peril. Every character in risk, is still smart enough to make smart decisions. That is a welcome change up for me (at least). Because most such thrillers RELY on characters’ stupidity to find themselves in trouble.
Also, they’ve layered the actual motivations of characters decently well, and most of the revelations will be surprising.
This is Christopher Landon’s best work yet. So far, the director has dealt only with horror comedies like Happy Death Day (2017), Happy Death Day 2 U (2019), Freaky (2020) and We Have A Ghost (2023). This was, in a way, new territory for him and he has excelled in it.
Landon keeps the drama grounded while delivering a thrill every few scenes. The stakes keep increasing every few minutes. This is one of those films, where (in an Indian theatre) you groan when they cut for intermission. You will remain at the edge of your seat for the movie’s runtime.
Cinematography, Score & Editing
It’s the technical aspects where the film scores. The cameras capture the suffocation of a fully occupied upscale restaurant. You feel like you’re a fly on the wall to a first date. The restaurant is well lit, and yet there is a sense of discomfort. Same way for the home invasion. The house seems innocent enough – until the lights go out. Then it feels aloof, sinister even.
The background score also helps in allevating the tension and the dread. I am going to have nightmares if my phone vibrates now, that’s how effectively they’ve conveyed fear – with the mere vibration of the phone. Standing at around 90 minutes and not a single wasted scene, Drop’s editing is near perfect. As I mentioned earlier – it’s so engrossing that you will hate it when they break for intermission.
Performances
There are majorly 3 performances in the movie which have a substantial screen time. Meghann Fahy excels as Violet – a strong woman who isn’t exactly ready to jump into the dating pool again. As the movie progresses we see different aspects of Violet’s personality – scared, angry, scheming. And Fahy has pulled off all of this with aplomb.
Brandon Skelenar as a seemingly green flag Henry is really, really charming. Because for the majority of the movie, Henry doesn’t quite know what is going on, and hence, it almost feels Henry is in a different movie. The fact that they cast two actors who have previously been in ‘harmless’ content also subverts audiences’ expectations and in that, this is a casting masterstroke.
Violette Bean as Jen completes the trifecta of good performances in the film. Much like Violet’s character, even Jen is in a survival thriller of her own and the young actress makes you stand up and take notice. The rest of the supporting cast don’t have much to do, but they are all well cast.
Conclusion
Drop is a compelling thriller which keeps you enthralled. This one shouldn’t be missed, unless you’re on a first date. Running in a theatre near you.
