“Drop” Is a Cozy Thriller That’s Perfect for Date Night
What do horror fans look for in a date night movie? While those of us used to extreme gore and violence can make a romantic evening out of the most savage film, first dates usually call for a softer touch. We want a compelling story that will hold our attention while providing thrills and chills to keep us snuggling into our paramour’s arms. We may love to have our hearts ripped out, but first dates generally don’t call for nihilism. A good first date movie will affirm our belief in the concept of love and—if we’re lucky—spark further conversation to extend the evening. Christopher Landon gives us all this and more with Drop, a perfect date night movie for horror fans. Erring closer to the thriller side, this self-contained film follows a pair of endearing strangers who find themselves trapped in the first date from hell.
Violet (Meghann Fahy) is a young single mother struggling to get back into the dating scene. After months of online interaction with dashing photographer Henry (Brandon Sklenar), she’s finally ready to meet in real life. But moments after sitting down to an extravagant dinner, she becomes the target of cyber harassment. A nearby stranger keeps sending her digital drops that grow increasingly concerning with each notification. The messages take a sinister turn when Violet realizes that not only does the culprit know her every move, their partner has broken into her house. The frightened mother must become an unwilling assassin in hopes of saving her sister and son.
Landon takes a stylish approach to the cozy mystery with intimate framing and artful zooms. Violet feels effectively trapped in a private hell despite being surrounded by a lavish dining room filled with pleasant conversation. The story is paced well despite its relative simplicity and screenwriters Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach find exciting ways to amp up the tension. A striking restaurant set provides visual flair while a cast of alternately wacky and relatable characters fill out this extravagant world. The conclusion may be fairly predictable, but Landon gives us plenty of entertainment along the way.
Despite cozy tropes and a sexy setup, Drop is more than simply lighthearted genre fare. Harrowing flashbacks allude to an abusive relationship in Violet’s past which colors her reluctance to date again. Jacobs and Roach nod towards the difficult work of recovering from intimate partner violence without letting this darkness overwhelm the film. It’s simply a piece of Violet’s story, but does not define her entire life.
Fahy anchors the film with a vulnerable yet tough performance that pulls us into her hellish dilemma. She and Sklenar have fantastic chemistry and it’s tempting to wish we could just watch their charming date play out without incident. They’re two sweet and altruistic people who just want to find happiness and it’s refreshing to root for such straightforward protagonists. Landon finds creative ways to amplify small moments of subterfuge while keeping us emotionally invested in this charming couple. Intimate table scenes are quietly thrilling and just as exciting as the action set pieces that conclude the film.
After a string of imaginative genre hits like Happy Death Day, Freaky, and We Have a Ghost, Landon has become skilled at remixing classic horror tropes. Here he takes a crack at the mystery genre and delivers an equally crowd-pleasing update. Drop may feel tame compared to some of his earlier films, but it’s an edge-of-your-seat thriller that makes the most of a simple premise while reaffirming our belief in love.
Jenn Adams is a writer, podcaster, and film critic from Nashville, TN. Find her social media nonsense @jennferatu.