First dates are nerve-wracking for most people, and they don’t always go as well as we’d hope. But no matter how bad some of our own first-date stories are, they’re definitely nowhere near as awful as Violet’s (Meghann Fahy) stressful and violent dining experience in the tech-driven thriller Drop.
Violet is a widowed mother to little Toby (Jacob Robinson), who is her number one priority. Her late husband, Blake (Michael Shea), was abusive toward Violet and their son, and they only managed to escape his clutches through his death. A few years have passed, and Violet is a new woman. She’s a therapist for domestic violence victims and is ready to put herself back out there. Despite being hesitant to leave Toby with her sister Jen (Violett Beane), Violet agrees to go on her first date in a long time after meeting Henry (Brandon Sklenar) online. The pair meet at a flashy and upscale restaurant that’s several stories high and has a ‘killer’ view of the Chicago skyline. Despite some nerves and a late arrival, the date starts off well. Henry is handsome and charismatic, and the two get along. However, they are repeatedly interrupted by malicious “drops” that Violet receives on her phone. At first, she tries to ignore them, but the messages grow increasingly threatening. A mysterious figure is watching Violet’s every move, and a masked man appears at her house, visible through her security camera app. The anonymous messenger gives Violet an ultimatum: kill Henry, or her son will die.
Drop is a tight, tense, and fun thriller that is always one step ahead of its audience, just like the sinister figure behind the messages. Its clever script is full of twists and turns that keep viewers guessing both the identity of the culprit and what exactly they want from Violet. The ornate skyscraper where Violet and Henry dine serves as the film’s main set piece, heightening the tension with its claustrophobic and isolated feel. Director Christopher Landon, known for horror-comedies like Happy Death Day and Freaky, brings his familiar campiness to the film’s blend of comedy and drama. Drop is well aware of its far-fetched premise and leans into it with humorous one-liners, lighter moments, and eccentric characters—including a scene-stealing Jeffery Self as an overly enthusiastic waiter—who are also potential suspects. It can certainly get silly, and there are a few glaring plot holes, but if you suspend your disbelief, it’s a hell of a good time.
Surprisingly, Drop also has an emotional core. Violet is a well-developed character with a compelling backstory, making it easy to root for her. This is largely thanks to Fahy’s earnest and likable performance. The same goes for Sklenar, who makes Henry so kind and charming that you genuinely hope Violet won’t have to kill him. In films like this, characters can easily feel disposable, so it’s refreshing to see care put into their development and journey.
Drop is one of the most enjoyable and adrenaline-fueled movies of the year so far. It’s an unabashedly fun and wild ride,and it just might make you feel better about any bad first dates of your own.
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First dates are nerve-wracking for most people, and they don’t always go as well as we’d hope. But no matter how bad some of our own first-date stories are, they’re definitely nowhere near as awful as Violet’s (Meghann Fahy) stressful and violent dining experience...Drop Review
