Drop serves killer looks

The Sun

08-05-2025

DROP, the American thriller directed by Christopher Landon, arrives with an irresistible premise: a first date that spirals into a nightmare of anonymous threats, escalating dangers and rising suspicion. Add in the backing of genre powerhouses Blumhouse and Platinum Dunes and expectations naturally soar. But while Drop delivers gorgeously polished visuals and performances, its narrative leans heavily on familiar tricks, asking viewers to stay patient as it unfurls its tangled threads.
There is no denying that Drop is a feast for the eyes. Cinematographer (who deserves applause here) bathes the upscale restaurant setting in moody lighting, gleaming surfaces and just the right touches of noirish shadow. Every glass of wine, flicker of candlelight and nervous glance is captured with surgical precision. This is a film where even a cell phone notification looks cinematic. But as sharp as the visuals are, the plot sometimes struggles to keep pace.
Familiar recipe (but still tasty enough)
Let us be clear: Drop does not reinvent the thriller wheel. The core premise: a protagonist trapped in a confined, elegant space while an unseen tormentor pulls the strings, echoes everything from Phone Booth to Panic Room. Add in a widowed protagonist with a tragic backstory, a too-charming date and a parade of suspicious side characters and the setup feels more comfort-food familiar than groundbreaking.
Yet despite the sense of déjà vu, Drop remains a solid watch. This is thanks largely to Meghann Fahy's magnetic presence as Violet, the frazzled yet determined single mom trying to navigate both dating jitters and escalating danger. Fahy brings an emotional vulnerability that grounds the more outlandish moments, making the audience root for her even when the plot feels like it is jogging in place.
Brandon Sklenar's Henry, meanwhile, plays the charming date with just the right amount of 'Is he or isn't he?' ambiguity. The supporting cast, including Violett Beane as Violet's sister and Gabrielle Ryan as the sharp-eyed bartender, fill out the ensemble with texture, even if many of them serve more as set dressing for Violet's rising paranoia.
Let tension build
Here is the key to enjoying Drop: approach it knowing that it is not a nonstop thrill ride. This is not one of those breathless, edge-of-your-seat thrillers where the plot fires off twists every ten minutes. Instead, Landon crafts a deliberately slow burn, teasing out the tension piece by piece.
For some, this will be a treat, a rare thriller that luxuriates in mood, atmosphere and simmering dread. For others, it might test their patience. There are stretches where the movie seems to coast on its vibes rather than push the story forward and the central mystery occasionally feels padded out to stretch the runtime. But for viewers willing to sink into the slow-building unease, Drop offers a satisfying payoff.
Visual that outshines its plot
It bears repeating: the real star of Drop is its visual design. The film's upscale restaurant setting is a living, breathing character, full of reflective surfaces, shadowy corners and a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere. Director Landon, known for stylish genre hits like Happy Death Day and Freaky, brings his playful touch here, making even the most mundane objects: a phone, a cocktail glass, a note scribbled on a napkin, pop with cinematic flair.
The visuals are so compelling that they often distract from the more predictable beats of the story. There is a sense that Landon and his team know they are working with a somewhat familiar script, so they lean hard into the atmosphere, ensuring the film at least looks fresher than it reads. For thriller fans who value aesthetics and mood, this attention to detail makes Drop worth the ticket price alone.
Worth a watch, with right expectations
Drop is not the most original thriller to hit screens this year, but it does not need to be. It knows what it is doing, delivering a tense, visually stunning cat-and-mouse game wrapped in a glossy package and it does it well enough to satisfy. Sure, the plot relies on familiar tropes and the pacing demands a patient viewer, but the overall experience is polished, suspenseful and anchored by strong lead performances.
Audiences looking for groundbreaking twists or adrenaline-pumping action might walk away wishing for more. But for those content to settle in for a stylish, slow-burning thriller with a killer aesthetic, Drop delivers just enough thrills to keep them watching and admiring how good it all looks along the way.
DIRECTOR: Christopher Landon
CAST: Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Reed Diamond, Gabrielle Ryan, Violett Beane
E-VALUE: 7/10
PLOT: 7/10
ACTING: 8/10