By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
All the high-tech convenience we rely on today just might come at a dangerous cost. At least, that's part of the chilling premise at the heart of the new action thriller
"Drop." Plus, after watching it, you might just delete your dating apps and go back to meeting people the old-fashioned way... like in a grocery store aisle or awkward work party.
Director
Christopher Landon ("Heart Eyes" and "Freaky") and screenwriters
Jillian Jacobs ("Fantasy Island") and
Chris Roach ("Truth or Dare") have crafted a slick, high-stakes techno-thriller that blends mystery, suspense, and just enough satirical bite to make you side-eye your smartphone.
The movie's title is a reference to the AirDrop feature on Apple's iPhone, which allows you to share pictures and videos with other phones within your proximity.
"Drop" taps into our collective digital anxiety--where every ping, notification, or download could be more sinister than it seems.
What makes "Drop" so intriguing is its eerie plausibility. The story unfolds with tension and sharp pacing, as ordinary people get caught in a very extraordinary and terrifying web of digital deception.
It's people like Violet (Meghann Fahy, "The Unbreakable Boy")--a widowed mother who is raising her young son, Toby (Jacob Robinson). After surviving an abusive relationship, Violet has put her own life on pause. Now working as a counselor for women in similar situations, it's no surprise she's hesitant to re-enter the dating world.
However, her outgoing sister Jen (Violett Beane, "Renner," TV's "The Flash") believes it's high time Violet dip her toe back into the dating pool. So, with a mix of hesitation and hope, Violet takes the plunge and strikes up an online "friendship" with Henry--a charming, seemingly genuine professional photographer--perfectly played by Brandon Sklenar ("It Ends with Us").
After months of long chats and digital bonding, the two finally agree to meet in person for a real date at an upscale, high-rise restaurant.
Violet is excited, but nerves quickly creep in. Though Jen sweetly offers to babysit Toby, Violet can't help but worry. This is the first time she's left him for something that feels so personal and uncertain, and the weight of that moment isn't lost on her.
When Henry and Violet finally meet, the chemistry is instant. They are all smiles, effortlessly connecting, and genuinely look like a couple meant to be. The evening feels full of promise… until, suddenly, it doesn't.
Out of nowhere, Violet is soon getting a barrage of Airdrops on her phone. At first, she thinks it's Jen calling about Toby. It's not, but rather some dark and sinister messages that demand Violet check her security cameras at home and if she fails to follow the instructions, a masked man will kill Toby and Jen.
Who would pull such a cruel prank and why?
There is definitely a motive behind it all. Unraveling the identity of the twisted individual tormenting Violet is at the heart of the nail-biting suspense that "Drop" delivers so well.
Could it be the overly eager waiter, Matt (Jeffrey Self, TV's "The Horror of Dolores Roach")? Or maybe Richard (Reed Diamond, "Off Ramp"), the quirky guy Violet chats with while nervously waiting for Henry? Then there's the overly "handsy" piano player (Ed Weeks, TV's "Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight")--definitely suspicious. And surely it couldn't be Cara the bartender (Gabrielle Ryan, TV's "Power Book IV: Force")... she's way too nice. Or is she?
As the night wears on, the Airdrops grow more frequent, more disturbing and even escalate to a chilling message instructing Violet to kill Henry.
For the record, Henry might just be the most patient man alive. He must really like Violet, because after the fourth or fifth time she abruptly gets up to check her phone or scope out the room, most guys would have called it a night.
It's the twists and turns in "Drop" that will make audiences anxious. "Drop" is both a cautionary tale and a clever mix of modern tech fear and classic thriller tropes, served up with just the right amount of camp and commentary.
While the supporting cast brings depth and energy to the story, it's the undeniable chemistry between Meghann Fahy and Brandon Sklenar that truly elevates this movie into both a gripping and unexpectedly heartfelt whodunit.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Watch This Trailer For
"DROP"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
