BY AVERY PALSHAW
With witty dialogue that is not overly scripted and constant unexpected twists, Christopher Landon’s new thriller “Drop” may become a little cliché in the end, but is overall worth the watch.
First dates are meant to be nerve-wracking, but for widowed mother Violet (Meghann Fahy), her first date in years quickly becomes deadly. Shortly into her dinner date with photographer Henry (Brandon Sklenar), Violet starts receiving threatening messages from an unknown sender, commanding her to commit an unspeakable act: kill her date. The sender threatens that if the mother does not comply or asks for help from anyone, they will kill her 5-year-old son. Ultimately, Violet must uncover who this mystery perpetrator is and decide how far she will go to save her son.
Though the plot is not entirely realistic, “Drop” seamlessly portrays the banter of a first date, from awkward pauses to tactful excuses to dash to the bathroom. Landon, who also directed horror film “Happy Death Day,” does a convincing job of blending mystery with reality, causing the viewer to go on an emotional rollercoaster.
As for the two main characters, they are complex, yet likeable. Violet is easy to empathize with, as she is a survivor of domestic abuse and struggles with leaving her son at home with her sister while she goes on a date. Likewise, Sklenar plays Henry as charming and thoughtful, which makes it difficult to support the task that Violet has been given. It’s rare to have a film where viewers are not sure who to root for, but “Drop” excels in that regard.
Drop. courtesy of UNIVERSAL PICTURES
In terms of cinematography, there’s not a huge emphasis on it, but the characters’ thoughts and emotions are displayed through changes in behavior, music and tone, which are essential since the main dilemma cannot be discussed aloud.
The downfall of “Drop” is how formulaic the ending gets once the pivotal plot twist is revealed. The film spirals into chaos and violence after the anonymous sender is unveiled, but the action seems overdone as Violet finds herself holding onto the side of a building.
Though the movie becomes predictable and has a bit of a cheap ending, “Drop” is still a well thought-out suspense film. With unexpected turns and a plot that causes one to question the motives of each character, this movie is worth dropping by a nearby theater for.
7/10
