Everyone’s a Suspect.
Everyone’s a Suspect.
Christopher Landon’s stylish whodunnit Drop makes bold moves, though questionable narrative choices occasionally hold it back. Still, the film’s tight 90-minute runtime, mesmerizing restaurant setting, and captivating lead performance keep audiences invested. Plot holes aside, the absorbing atmosphere and suspenseful moments make Drop an entertaining popcorn thriller.
Violet (Meghann Fahy), a young widow, takes a chance on a long-overdue date at a trendy, high-end restaurant. But strange events escalate rapidly as she awaits her date, Henry (Brandon Sklenar). Just as things are looking up, she receives ominous airdropped memes and messages from a masked intruder at her home, threatening her son and sister. The twisted demands: kill her date in the restaurant to save them. Will Violet, haunted by past trauma, succumb to the pressure and commit a heinous act? Or will she find a way to outsmart the sinister forces controlling her?
Tonally, Drop diverges from Landon’s horror-comedy signature, leaning more into thriller territory with nods to ‘trapped in one setting’ films like Wes Craven’s Red Eye. Even so, the film’s comedic beats land well, providing a break from the intensity. With a mystery that keeps you guessing alongside Violet, Landon proves he can expertly stir up drama and tension. He again excels as a director, showcasing his skill in keeping the single restaurant setting fresh through creative camera work and stellar editing. Despite plot missteps and unanswered questions, Drop is a wildly entertaining ride with great action sequences in the third act.
The standout performance comes from Meghann Fahy, who shines as the lead, showcasing a remarkable range of emotions and anchoring the film with her presence. Fahy’s facial expressions are spot on, and she fully commits to every frame. This could be her breakout film role, building on the fanbase she’s established since The White Lotus. One minor criticism is that Violet’s lack of concern for her sister felt out of character. Brandon Sklenar does his best with the material he’s given, bringing some chemistry to his scenes with Fahy, though his character’s limited role – mostly fawning over his distracted date – doesn’t give him much to work with. You have to suspend disbelief that the date would last so long given the bizarre events and non-stop interruptions; the entire theatre was silently marvelling at Henry’s patience level. The supporting cast work as red herrings, providing enough clever misdirections to keep viewers on their toes.
Overall, Drop is a solid thriller that successfully weaves in some comedy and romance. Instead of jump scares, it delivers campy moments and a creeping sense of dread. At times, it pushes believability too far and a more grounded approach would have elevated the experience. Still, the film’s absurdity adds to its entertainment value and there’s plenty of fun to be had.
