Film Review: Drop (2025)
Director: Christopher Landon
Known for his sharp blend of horror and humor in films like Freaky and the Happy Death Day series, director Christopher Landon steps away from pure horror with his latest release, Drop. This time, Landon leans into the high-concept thriller space — but his signature knack for sly, dark comedy remains.
A High-Stakes Premise With A Modern Twist
Drop centers on Violet (played by Meghann Fahy), a single mother who ventures out on her first date in years with photographer Henry (Brandon Sklenar). What starts as a nerve-wracking but normal evening soon spirals into something sinister. While navigating the emotional tightrope of first-date jitters and parental guilt, Violet becomes the target of a chilling digital threat.
The setup is deceptively simple: an anonymous sender uses AirDrop to send Violet increasingly disturbing messages. The final ultimatum is blunt and brutal — kill Henry, or her son dies.
Tension That Grips From The Start
Landon doesn’t waste a second establishing Violet’s world. Within the film's opening hour, the narrative sketches Violet’s personal history — including her experience with an abusive ex-husband — as well as the deep bonds she shares with her sister and young son. The result is a protagonist whose choices the audience instantly invests in.
The bulk of the film takes place in an upscale dining spot called Palate, where Violet encounters an ensemble of seemingly everyday diners and staff — all of whom become potential suspects behind the digital blackmail. These characters, diverse and ordinary, lend a natural authenticity to the setting. Landon ensures you feel like you’re inside that restaurant, eavesdropping on the tension as it builds, bite by bite.
Fahy and Sklenar's Natural Chemistry
Once Henry arrives, the connection between Violet and her date is surprisingly tender. Despite her guarded heart and past traumas, Violet allows herself to ease into conversation — and the chemistry between Fahy and Sklenar is undeniable. Their interactions feel genuine, making the central dilemma even more wrenching: is Henry truly the target, or is he the trap?
Clever Visual Storytelling
One of the most impressive technical choices in Drop is how it handles modern communication on screen. Rather than forcing audiences to squint at tiny phone displays, the film projects text messages directly onto the screen in bold, clear overlays. This not only makes the digital conversations easy to follow but also enhances the claustrophobic atmosphere as the airdropped messages literally surround Violet, tightening their psychological grip.
A Game of Morality and Maternal Instinct
At its heart, Drop poses a classic ethical dilemma: How far would a parent go to save their child? Violet’s struggle with the impossible choice of sacrificing a stranger versus risking her own son’s life is made all the more compelling thanks to Fahy’s layered, grounded performance.
For much of the film, Landon balances suspense with his signature humor. Whether it’s an overenthusiastic waiter or the unlikely use of Pinkfong's “Baby Shark” on the soundtrack, Drop isn’t afraid to give its audience moments of levity amid the escalating tension. Landon never allows the film to drift into pure despair — instead, it treads the tightrope between thriller and crowd-pleaser.
A Slightly Stumbling Third Act
Where Drop shines in its first two acts, the third falters slightly. The film’s ultimate reveal of the person behind the threatening messages lacks the punch one might expect after so much careful buildup. Additionally, the final confrontation shifts away from the intimate, tension-filled confines of Palate to an entirely new location — an odd choice that diffuses the momentum the film had worked so hard to maintain.
Having invested so much in the layout and vibe of the restaurant, the sudden relocation weakens the emotional and visual payoff. And as the film edges toward its conclusion, some logical gaps and plot holes begin to emerge, slightly pulling the viewer out of the otherwise taut experience.
Fahy’s Standout Performance
Despite some narrative hiccups, Meghann Fahy anchors the film beautifully. As Violet, she delivers a performance brimming with quiet strength and vulnerability. Audiences are given a protagonist who feels deeply human — not just a thriller cliché. Violet’s emotional journey, from parental anxiety to life-or-death decision-making, is both relatable and gripping.
Final Verdict
For longtime fans of Christopher Landon, Drop may come as a surprise. While it forgoes overt horror for a more grounded thriller approach, it still offers moments of dark humor, snappy pacing, and character-driven suspense. Though the ending may leave some viewers wanting, the journey there is full of nerve-twisting tension and strong performances — especially from Fahy.
In the growing world of tech-based thrillers, Drop lands as a smart, modern morality puzzle wrapped inside an entertaining cinematic package.
Rating: 3.5/5
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