REVIEW: "Drop" (2025)

(Courtesy IMDb) 

WRITER'S NOTE: The following was originally posted on my Facebook page on April 14, 2025. 

A single mother goes on a date for the first time in months. When she starts receiving anonymous airdrops from a mysterious caller, which turn from nuisances to threats, her evening takes a nightmarish turn, questioning everyone around her and who could be behind it all. That’s one way to summarize this thrilling co-production between Blumhouse and Platinum Dunes, and director Christopher Landon, who describes Drop as a commentary on the toxic use (and abuse) of social media. 

The film’s primary restaurant setting (fictional, although it could pass for a real sky-high, culinary establishment) presents various characters, how they interact with their respective devices, and how they present themselves in general, which adds to the genre trope of “everyone is a suspect” (mentioned decades ago in Scream). Add to that the use of home security cameras and bugged surveillance, and Drop represents a heightened reality (if far-fetched concept) that nevertheless feels palpable. 

The whole thing is sincerely carried by leads Meghann Fahy and Brandon Sklenar, who both have a natural chemistry, whether discussing dating trends these days (both in-person and online), as well as romantic, familial, and professional relationships in general. These moments, along with the aforementioned tension and uncertainty, illustrate how these characters present themselves and eventually who they really are. It’s essentially a story about two people (one is a counselor and victim of domestic abuse; the other is a photographer) wanting to “get back out there” and hope for better futures, which is life-affirming and encouraging, in and of itself. 

Scenes of abuse and assault, along with child endangerment and suicidal references, are disturbing and sometimes stomach-churning, with Fahy’s Violet feeling terrible that her son had to see things no child should ever see. So while Drop is an effective, brilliantly-made, and subversive thriller, it’s also probably not ideal for a date-night flick either—particularly a first date. 

#filmfreeq #bekerianreviews #21stcenturycinema #universalpictures #blumhouse #platinumdunes #christopherlandon #drop2025

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