Drop - Tödliches Date

I wouldn't say to Drop everything to see this, but if you're feeling nostalgia for the 90s Suspense-Action popcorn flicks, this is for you.

Definitely reminded me of an old favorite of mine, Nick of Time, starring Johnny Depp/Christopher Walken from 1995. Both movies put innocent people in extraordinary circumstances to save their loved ones. So, if you even remember that low-key (for Depp) thriller, and liked it, this would make a great double-feature.

First dates are killer. A recently widowed mother agrees to a first date with a gorgeous hunk of a man. Unfortunately, things go sideways when she receives instructions on her phone from someone nearby, in the restaurant...and her date, her son and her chances of a second date might be in grave trouble.

It's not perfect, by any means. I should've known who was sending the messages from the get-go, and you might figure it out immediately. Yeah, yeah, I didn't think too hard and everyone's a red herring. I just laid back and left my brain at the door to have fun.

And it was suspenseful to see how she'd save her son (who's being watched over by a goon at her home,) her date (whose life is in her hands) and how she'd escape this terrible mess she's been targeted for. And when the heat does kick up in the last 15 minutes, it is a ton of fun.

Not an award-winner and hardly original at all. Still, I had a good time. Some of the artsy camera work was cool, but honestly it was so little of it, I'm not sure why they chose to experiment for just about 20 seconds of film in different scenes.

If you do like Nick of Time, Red Eye, Don't Say a Word, I guess the original Saw, and any others where someone's kidnapped/held hostage so someone can be the unwilling assassin, this is yet another one. And recommended.

***

Final Thoughts: I've heard about this "Screen Unseen" thing movie theatres are doing whereas you buy a ticket for a movie that hasn't been released yet and all you know is the length and rating. I got my first email for one and had to attempt fate...at what they chose for me. Dear Lord, I was afraid it'd be a melodrama or family-friendly Romcom. I *HAD* hoped this would've been The Amateur or even, Mission: Impossible 7b, but, I'm fine with Drop. I saw the trailers, liked what I saw and did eventually want to see this. That said, the trailers pretty much give away everything...so I would avoid those if you wish to go in cold.

We saw this as a Regal Monday Mystery Movie. So went in there not knowing what we were going to see. We were a little nervous once we found out the title as we do not typically like anything that is too stressful. But we stuck it out and we are glad we did.

I had seen Meghann Fahy in White Lotus and The Perfect Couple. I was not familiar with Brandon Sklenar but he was very likeable in this role.

The movie was fun, entertaining and suspenseful. It kept us guessing right up to the bad guy reveal.

Was it award winning material? No. But it was fun for a date night and we definitely are glad we stayed.

Although admittedly fairly forgettable, 'Drop (2025)' is a really solid thriller that benefits from a lack of self-awareness and a stylistic execution. Set mostly in a single location, the narrative mixes the anxiety of a first date with the horror of a hostage situation (the former can often feel like the latter, am I right?). Having the lead character be a survivor of domestic abuse adds another layer of cruelty to the lack of control she has over her situation, while also allowing for catharsis if she's able to work through her trauma and emerge victorious. The theme is dealt with gently but directly, never feeling exploitative because it ultimately seems like an attempt at healing rather than a cheap way to increase the suspense of the central situation. Said situation is undeniably silly, but the film treats it with enough sincerity that you don't feel strange about doing the same. It has comedic moments, some of which are genuinely funny, but its humour never undercuts its narrative. It never feels embarrassed of itself, never feels the need to crack wise to let us know it knows it's actually rather absurd. It remains tense and engaging for its relatively brisk duration, even if it does feel like it spins its wheels a bit in its midsection. Christopher Landon directs the heck out of it, playing with focus and lighting to convey stress and hopelessness, using controlled but chaotic camerawork to compound violence, and splashing text across the screen to make its virtual elements feel as real as everything else that threatens to tear its protagonist's world apart. Add to that a delightfully classic yet pulpy score from Bear McCreary, and you get an atmospheric and absorbing little thriller that keeps you hooked for its duration. Its characters are well-rounded, portrayed by charismatic actors who all understand the assignment, and its plot escalates in a satisfying way. It's tightly written, with a couple of crowd-pleasing one-liners and an escalating sense of suspense, and confidently crafted, with crisp cinematography and convincing set design. It isn't the sort of thing that sticks with you for too long, but it does exactly what it needs to and keeps you on the edge of your seat for its majority. It's an enjoyable experience that does quite a lot with quite a little. It's pretty darn good.

I have mixed feelings on this movie. 84% on Rotten Tomatoes. I can side with either cause I get the love and the hate.

This movie isn't completely original. I can compare elements to Cellular, Phone Booth and even the very recent Carry-On. It's not a new concept to not know who is singling you out.

However, this movie offers some really good elements as well. Although very predictable it does try to throw the audience for a loop a few times and somewhat succeeds.

The acting is all over the place with good and bad moments from everyone so I can't give praise to any of that. The story is kinda lame but it drives the movie from point a to b.

I feel the pacing was well done and helps drive the suspense and the payoff is fun until it takes it too far.

Not a spoiler but when a masked killer removes a mask on screen and the reveal is an unknown character even to our lead then what is the point of even having them unmask? It felt like giving the actor a chance to be seen by his family watching the film and made me laugh during a scene we shouldn't be laughing at.

Also AJ Styles and Undertaker having a cameo through a meme made me laugh and wonder if they can sue for having their picture shown.

Overall this is a good movie but I do think it's a bit over rated. The opening had me ready to give up on the whole movie til I realized it wasn't a jump ahead and was an actual flashback.

It's worth a watch and maybe a rewatch to notice stuff you may have missed but it's not an all time classic as I'll probably forget about this movie within a few weeks or months. 6.5/10 from me.

One trend I can totally get behind is the return of '90s-style, nonsensical action films - and 'Drop' is a perfect example of just how fun that can be. It's full of high-stakes chaos, tech-fuelled paranoia, and a plot that spirals in the best kind of way.

The social commentary lands surprisingly well, with the AirDrop-as-menace angle tapping into real digital-age fears. And I loved the video game-esque text placements on screen - bold, stylised, and just the right kind of over-the-top.

The acting? A bit cringe, yes - but intentionally so. Meghann Fahy really leans into the melodrama, and Brandon Sklenar does a great job playing the increasingly bewildered date. Special shoutout to Violett Beane, whose dry delivery added just the right bite.

But a bone to pick: that child actor... GOD AWFUL. It's even more glaring when you think about someone like Owen Cooper in 'Adolescence' - proof that you can cast a young actor who brings genuine weight to the screen. This kid just wasn't it. Still, if you're after a chaotic, neon-tinged thrill ride with something to say, 'Drop' is a blast.