Directed by Christopher Landon and written by Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach, Drop is an original mystery thriller about a single mother who finds herself in an impossible position and must do what she can to save her loved ones. The film has now been released in cinemas worldwide and stars Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Jacob Robinson, and Violett Beane.

Violet is a widowed single mother getting back into the dating scene and is set to meet a man named Henry, whom she met on a dating app. While waiting for him at the restaurant, she starts receiving anonymous and threatening messages through an app called Digidrop, so they’re coming from within her vicinity. At first, she ignores them to focus on her date, but the messages start mentioning some of her personal information and commenting on her actions. She takes this anonymous person seriously after being told to check her home security cameras and sees a masked intruder waving his gun at the camera. If she tells anyone, tries to escape, doesn’t do what she’s told, or her date leaves, her son and sister will be dead. Things become even more complicated when her latest task is that she must kill her date.

The film primarily focuses on Meghann Fahy, who plays the lead character, Violet. Violet is a loving mother who also has some trauma from her past, which makes her nervous about her date. Of course, things become worse when this mystery person stalking her pressures her to do some specific tasks so her son and sister don’t get murdered. Because she can’t tell anyone, she has to find ways to do these tasks without raising suspicion. She also has to ensure her date doesn’t leave, especially because of her frantic behaviour, such as constantly checking her phone and going to the bathroom. Fahy puts on an excellent performance as someone who has to maintain her composure while the thought of her son and sister’s lives in danger lingers in her mind.

Violet’s date, Henry, is portrayed by Brandon Sklenar. Despite arriving late, it’s clear why Violet becomes interested in him, even while other things are weighing on her mind. He shows that he’s caring and sees Violet as someone he could have a future with, despite her being distracted with other things for most of the night. Even though most men would’ve walked out on their date without who’s barely paying attention to them, Sklenar’s performance manages to convince audiences why he’s willing to go through with the date. However, at one point, he does seriously consider leaving, and Violet has to persuade him to stay.

Violet and Henry are the film’s central characters, but other characters also play important roles, big or small. Violet’s son, Toby and sister, Jen, are played by Jacob Robinson and Violett Beane, respectively, and while they’re not seen as much, their screen time will make audiences care for them and add to the story’s intensity. Reed Diamond is Richard, another person at the restaurant meeting a first date. Gabrielle Ryan Spring is Cara, a bartender at the restaurant. Jeffery Self is Matt, a waiter on his first shift with an upbeat personality. Ed Weeks is Phil, the pianist performing at the restaurant. Travis Nelson is Connor, a man who has been suspiciously on his phone for most of the night and various others who could be behind the anonymous messages.

The film will keep you guessing who the stalker could be, and even after it’s revealed, there is still more to the story. Many movies have similar concepts, and Drop may not have the most original story. However, it still brings in some unique elements and shows how dangerous modern technology and the internet can be. Audiences will be engaged from start to finish on who the perpetrator could be and other elements of the story, such as Violet’s past trauma and Henry’s job as a photographer for a possibly corrupt politician.

Director Christopher Landon is best known for his work in the horror genre, the most well-known being the Paranormal Activity film series, so Drop is a big change from what he normally does. Even without supernatural and slasher horror elements, he’s able to focus more on the tension build-up and genuine fear of the characters, and it truly shows.

The cinematography is done so well that it creates a feeling of isolation with nowhere to turn, even while surrounded by people. Audiences will see things from Violet’s perspective, such as focusing on certain people in the restaurant and when she looks out the window to look at the view of the

city while thinking of what to do and worrying about Toby and Jen back home. Because she has to use her phone for much of the film, rather than only seeing the screen, the words from the messages also appear around her. The characters don’t see the words, but it helps add to the pressure that Violet is under and shows how alone she is in this situation. The film also takes place in the restaurant for most of the film and doesn’t have any time skips other than some glimpses of Violet’s past trauma that somehow play a little part in the overall plot.

Drop is a simple film with a simple premise, but it still manages to be something unique, easy to follow and will keep you drawn in from beginning to end thanks to its creative writing. The performances of the entire cast allow you to sympathise with them. Violet being stuck in an impossible situation and finding ways to overcome it that could risk the lives of her son and sister will keep audiences engaged to see what happens next. It’s proof that sometimes, keeping things simple and not overcomplicating is the key to a good film. Drop is a must-see film that uses a classic premise and mixes in modern elements.

Written by: Sammy Hanson