Movie Review: ‘Drop’

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Drop is the latest mystery thriller from director Christopher Landon, who previously wrote and directed the Happy Death Day movies (the third of which I am still awaiting). The premise is rather straightforward- while on a first date, a woman is surreptitiously tasked with killing her date or losing her child and sister. The suspense lies in following what she can and will do and figuring out who is behind the mysterious drops (which, if you are not tech savvy like me, is a way for people to share pics and messages with nearby phones). Overall, it was an enjoyable experience with great visual effects; just don’t think about the details too much or some big plot points might fall apart.

The film opens with a scene of domestic violence showing Violet (Meghann Fahy; The White Lotus) crawling away from her abusive husband and potentially killing him. The scene is horrifying, sure, but I didn’t think it, or the subsequent returns to this scene, added much to the main story. The main story takes place a few years later, beginning when Violet is hesitant to go on a first date because of her past relationship. Without the flashbacks, the movie still works with maybe a little less shock value. The dialogue in the present day does a good job of describing her past relationship.

Anyway, moving on. Violet leaves her son with her sister and heads for a fancy, visually stunning, restaurant. After arriving, even before her date Henry (Brandon Sklenar; 1923) arrives, she begins to receive the drops from an unknown patron. They seem innocent at first but soon become more sinister culminating with a demand that Violet kill her date and the revelation that they have someone at her house ready to take her family if she does not comply. She tries to stall, find a way out, and/or learn the identity of her stalker, but each attempt is thwarted one way or another as Violet learns that the perpetrator can see and hear enough to keep her on task.

The ending, after the big reveal, transforms from mystery to action and veers into unrealistic territory given the buildup of the threat of the home invader. But, possible spoiler, that is why the term “Hollywood ending” exists.

Something I especially enjoyed was the visual effects. The story itself was good, well-told, well-acted, and mostly entertaining. While I did not figure out the person behind the mystery (until all the red herrings were ruled out), I was not surprised by the reveal. But the visual effects added a level that distinguished it from other similar films (Nick of Time was my first thought, but I know there are others). At various points, the lights and color in a scene would fade to highlight some detail or person. And, while a lot of the plot is driven by messages received via a phone, the details are not confined to the phone screen but rather incorporated into the scenery.