Who hasn’t had an epically terrible first date?
It could possibly’t be worse than what our heroine endures in “Drop.” The thriller imagines a worst-case state of affairs with a twist positive to make audiences squirm.
Sure, every thing that might go fallacious does on this date from hell, however you possibly can’t cease rooting for this couple to make it to Date No. 2.
That units this lean shocker other than lesser fare.
Violet (Meghann Fahy) is overdue for a romantic evening in town. She’s a widowed mother who all the time places her cute son Toby first. She’s been cyber-flirting with a photographer for weeks, and it’s lastly time for them to fulfill.
That’s Henry (“Inexperienced and Gold‘s” Brandon Sklenar), a good-looking gent who appears simply as keen for love. They’ve chosen a restaurant with a surprising view of downtown Chicago, so the temper is excellent.
Besides Violet’s telephone received’t cease buzzing. She thinks it’s her sister, touching base about some minor toddler hiccup. As a substitute, it’s a sequence of “DigiDrops” (suppose AirDrops) from somebody within the restaurant.
Take a look at your property safety cameras in your telephone’s app, the message tells her. She sees a masked man lurking inside her home, mere yards away from Toby.
The stranger calls for she do precisely what he requests or lil’ Toby received’t survive the evening.
The trailer offers away much more of the story, suggesting it’ll be a loooong 60-plus minutes till we get both a reveal or a decision. Director Christopher Landon (the wonderful “Freaky“) retains our curiosity whereas making the absurd occasions as rational as attainable.
Sure, most males would have fled the restaurant after quarter-hour of Violet staring obsessively at her telephone. The movie acknowledges this whereas leaning, arduous, on the couple’s chemistry. It pops off the display screen.
Violet and Henry carry some severe Samsonite baggage to the date. Her previous is cleverly revealed all through the story, whereas we get glimpses of why he’s so hesitant. Violet’s again story is heavier, suggesting an imbalance that raises the emotional stakes.
That grounds a movie that goes from surreal to absurd at warp pace. And we haven’t gotten to the third-act fireworks but.
Meghann Fahy and Brandon Sklenar reply our Very Necessary Questions on their newest movie, #Drop, from @blumhouse, which *drops* into theaters April 11. pic.twitter.com/5eJrNEpWRn
— Los Angeles Instances (@latimes) March 18, 2025
Screenwriters Jillian Jacobs and Christopher Roach populate the restaurant with quirky characters, the type that relieve rigidity whereas nudging the plot alongside. We meet a nervous, middle-aged man on his personal blind date and a plucky bartender who serves as Violet’s counselor.
Plus, Violet’s server is a wannabe actor who thinks he’s “performing” for the brand new couple.
Humorous. Participating. And mandatory given the stress in play with each new “DigiDrop.”
You’ll be able to’t escape “Drop” with out muttering, “Oh, come ON” at the very least as soon as (it occurred to this critic on the very finish). The setup is inconceivable, and the execution is much more laughable.
That’s unlucky, however from the beginning, we’re captive to the screenwriters’ knack for mixing the preposterous with moments that really feel all too actual.
That blend makes “Drop” price a reservation. Simply know in the event you’re bringing a date the evening can’t go any worse than what’s taking place on display screen.
HiT or Miss: “Drop” delivers head-smacking contrivances, however the core of the movie is unattainable to withstand.