DROP is an intense, fun, and at times creepy film that reminds us that less is often more. You can put two characters in an extreme situation and the audience is instantly right there with them. Add in a unique use of digital interaction and the rest will take care of itself. For the most part.
SYNOPSIS: A widowed mother’s first date in years takes a terrifying turn when she’s bombarded with anonymous threatening messages on her phone during their upscale dinner, leaving her questioning if her charming date is behind the harassment. | 1h 40m | Rated PG-13 for strong violent content, suicide, some strong language and sexual references.
Instead of the classic who-dun-it, this is more a who’s-doing-it. Violet (Meghann Fahy) is on her first first-date in years. Henry (Brandon Sklenar) has chosen a very upscale, high-rise restaurant for them to meet. Once they arrive Violet starts getting messages dropped to her phone that put her in a panic situation. If she wants her family to stay alive, she has to play along. The suspects are few, and soon everyone in the restaurant is a possible culprit. Messages dropped to a phone, much like airdrops, have to be within 50 feet. You think that would make it easier, but soon discover it only elevates the paranoia.
Script writers Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach do a nice job of making everyone seem guilty. If anyone tells you they had it figured out early they are lying. What they mean to say is they changed their minds several times like the rest of us, but at some point thought maybe that was the person. Nice job, Sherlock.
It is hard to watch this and not put yourself in both Violet’s and Henry’s shoes. You will be screaming at them in your head to do one thing or another. But the truth is, there is really only one option. Play along. Violet does so while at the same time balancing a date, and trying to figure out who is sending the messages.
Fahy is a good choice for the role and easy to believe as a mother on a first date thrown into a nightmare. Her reactions and emotions are organic. Sklenar is basically what we have seen him everywhere else. Which can be argued works here. He is quiet, at times bored, and if anything patient. Most men would have bailed early on with how this date is going. Yet he stays. Adding to the everyone is a suspect reality. The longer the film goes the more the intensity grows, ending with an edge of your seat showdown that will have you holding your breath without realizing it.
There is also several humorous moments to lighten the mood. Some from Violet’s interaction with her sister Jen (Violett Beane), but most coming from an over the top waiter named Matt (Jeffery Self). Blumhouse has released a few clunkers lately but this puts them right back in the game. it is the perfect first, or last, date movie. You will not be disappointed.
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