DROP
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Drama
Directed by: Christopher Landon
Starring: Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar
Release Date: April 11, 2025
Platform: Theatrical
Rating: 3/5
By Crystal Justine
“Delivers an entertaining experience with just enough pieces to keep you engaged.”
Movie Review: DROP – A Fast-Paced Thriller That Delivers Tension, But Falters in the Final Act
Universal and Blumhouse’s latest release, DROP, premiered at the SXSW Film Festival in early May, and for those who’ve been inundated with its trailer, the wait is finally over. The film hits theaters this weekend, offering a modern take on the classic whodunit genre. Directed by Christopher Landon, known for his work on the Happy Death Day films and the recent Heart Eyes, DROP is a high-stakes thriller that combines modern technology with suspenseful storytelling. Starring Meghann Fahy (The White Lotus) and Brandon Sklenar (It Ends With Us), this film has all the right elements for a thrilling, anxiety-inducing ride.
At its core, DROP is a tense, tech-savvy whodunit. The story follows a woman, played by Fahy, on a nerve-wracking first date, only to find herself receiving threatening text messages from an anonymous villain lurking somewhere in the high-rise lounge. While the whodunit formula is hardly new, DROP injects fresh life into it by cleverly incorporating the use of cell phones. The on-screen portrayal of text messages is innovative and visually engaging, adding an extra layer of tension to the story as Fahy’s character desperately tries to figure out who’s behind the messages to murder her date.
Fahy and Sklenar’s performances anchor the film, and their chemistry as two people navigating the awkwardness of a first date is charming. Fahy, in particular, excels with her expressive facial reactions, capturing the urgency and terror of a woman caught in a psychological game. Her dilemma is convincing, especially since the threat isn’t face-to-face but through the cold, impersonal glow of a cell phone screen. Sklenar holds his own, playing the concerned date who becomes more entangled in the mystery as the night progresses.
However, not all the performances hit the mark. Some of the side characters lean into exaggerated portrayals, which, unfortunately, pulls the film away from its more grounded atmosphere. This over-the-top acting makes DROP feel more like a straight-to-streaming release than a theatrical experience. Thankfully, the lead performances help keep the film grounded, even when some of the supporting roles go overboard.
Visually, DROP takes inspiration from the master of suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock. The film’s setting is a sleek high-rise lounge, which is both stunning and claustrophobic. The cinematography and lighting is often beautiful, adding an extra layer of mood to the scenes, while interesting camera angles during the action sequences keep things dynamic. However, the first half of the film suffers from overly choppy editing, especially during fast-paced dialogue exchanges. The camera jerks back and forth, making it hard to follow conversations fluidly, like a tennis match where you’re constantly being forced to look in different directions.
While DROP is entertaining during its runtime, its final act leaves much to be desired. Plot holes and illogical moments start to emerge, leaving the audience questioning the twists and turns as the film hurtles toward its conclusion. Some decisions feel far-fetched, and the twists, while meant to be shocking, don’t land as well as intended. These lingering questions overshadow the excitement, requiring the audience to suspend a significant amount of disbelief to fully enjoy the ride.
In the end, DROP is an enjoyable one-time watch. With a quick runtime and pacing that ramps up the tension, it’s a film that keeps you on edge for the most part. The film doesn’t take itself too seriously, and while it lacks depth, it delivers an entertaining experience with just enough pieces to keep you engaged. If you’re a fan of light, semi-thrilling whodunits and can overlook some of its more glaring plot issues, DROP offers a fun, imperfect ride. Just don’t think too much about the twists, enjoy the thrill, and let the tension take the lead.
