‘Drop’ Review

‘Drop’ is the latest thriller from Blumhouse Productions, a company that has produced hundreds of low budget horror films of wildly disparate quality. Thankfully, ‘Drop’ is one of the good ones – an entertaining and clever thrill ride with modest ambitions but myriad delights.

After two hundred or so movies, there is a clear formula for what makes a successful Blumhouse Production.

1. Clever Premise – ‘Drop’ tells the story of Violet Gates (Meghann Fahy), a survivor of domestic abuse who is finally ready to get back on the dating scene. After psyching herself up, taking care of her son, and taking fashion advice from her Big Comfy Couch looking sister (Violett Beane), Violet heads out on a first date at a bougie skyscraper restaurant with one Henry Campbell (Brandon Sklenar), a handsome and charming photographer for the mayor’s office. Soon after they sit down, Violet begins receiving AirDrops (called Digi-drops in the film, because Apple technology can do no wrong of course) threatening her son’s life and demanding she do whatever she is told during the course of this date night. This sets up a mostly self contained, locked room mystery, as the bulk of the film takes place in real time during this date. This use of technology takes a kind of story that would have been popular one hundred years ago, and updates it for a modern audience.
2. Unique Vision – Christopher Landon has made his career melding horror filmmaking tropes with comedic and sci-fi sensibilities, directing the endlessly enjoyable ‘Happy Death Day’, ‘Happy Death Day 2 U’, and ‘Freaky’ — all slasher films with a sci-fi twist. Landon’s direction does less combining of horror and comedy genres, but more of a highlighting that the pacing, editing and timing isn’t all that different between a good scare and a good laugh. This is not a film that dawdles, as its premise is relatively thin, and Landon jumps right into the action as soon as the emotional stakes are set. As Violet walks into the restaurant to find her date, Landon shows off a masterful economy of filmmaking, introducing all of the players in the restaurant who will all serve as potential victims and suspects over the tight 93 minute runtime. This shows an understanding that individuals need to be introduced, even just briefly, in order for any of the thriller set ups to pay off with any meaning, but also an understanding that this world, this high priced date night spot in a major city, is filled with such a fun variety of people on any given night. Some have nefarious intentions, some are legitimately decent, but all will have their own stories to tell by the time the night is over. For a movie that is primarily just two people sitting at a table, talking, Landon imbues the drama with visual flourishes – changing camera angles, lenses – that keep the action from becoming stale or boring. Landon brings life to the camera, which immerses the viewer both in the mystery of who is sending the drops and the success or failure of this first date.
3. Committed Actors – As the main couple, Meghann Fahy and Brandon Sklenar are believable in their chemistry, their etiquette, and all the awkward interactions inevitable in a first date. Fahy in particular drives the drama of this film, her reactions to the drops being never less than believable. She is fundamentally decent, she wants to be happy, and her role demands a range of emotional responses: anger, fright, love, confusion. She plays all of these emotions perfectly, all while trying to keep her own turmoil hidden from her date as best as possible. It’s the type of performance that elevates any thriller, and it is propped up by wonderful performances from the supporting cast along the margins.

‘Drop’ checks off all of these boxes for a successful Blumhouse film, and doesn’t waste time with any frivolous subplots or character arcs. It is a tight story that unfortunately unravels a bit with the more Hollywood-ified third act. While the first 80% of the movie is subtle, character driven drama, with the mystery feeling authentic and earned, the final 20% delivers more generic action sequences that feel ripped from a separate movie. I knew it was coming from the trailer – seriously, avoid the trailer for this movie – but was nonetheless disappointed in the finale.

Even with that note, ‘Drop’ is a mostly delightful entertainment, with genuine pathos and mystery, all set over the course of a date night where everything that can go wrong, does. Elevated by top class performances and direction, ‘Drop’ will go down as one of the good ones from Blumhouse’s extensive library.

Drop
Rated PG-13 for strong violent content, suicide, some strong language and sexual references.
Running Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes

Director Christopher Landon
Writers Jillian Jacobs, Chris Roach
Stars Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Violett Beane, Jeffery Self
Rating PG-13
Running Time 95 Minutes
Genres Drama, Mystery, Thriller