FILM REVIEW: DROP (15) ESP RATING: 3.5/5

A modern-day thriller with shades of Hitchcock. 

I was instantly hooked the moment I saw the trailer for Drop. The premise grabbed me right away - an intimate, tech-driven thriller that promised tension, mystery, and a psychological edge. 

The film stars Meghann Fahy (from acclaimed TV series The White Lotus) as Violet, a widowed mother cautiously re-entering the dating scene after years of focusing on her family. Her online connection is Henry (Brandon Sklenar from Yellowstone spin-off 1923), a charming and seemingly sincere man with just enough mystery to keep her intrigued. After three months of messaging, they finally agree to meet for dinner at a sleek, high-rise restaurant - anticipating an evening of tentative romance. But what begins as a hopeful night quickly spirals into a harrowing ordeal. 

Soon into their dinner, Violet starts receiving strange, anonymous messages through a peer-to-peer app called ‘Drop’. Initially annoying, the texts escalate quickly into something chilling: a masked intruder has broken into her home and is threatening to murder her sister and young son unless Violet kills Henry. Her smart devices have been hacked, her movements are being watched, and she’s forced into a twisted, high-stakes game with seemingly no way out. 

I’ve always appreciated these stripped-down thrillers that make the most of limited resources. Drop fits neatly into that category - lean, efficient, and mostly confined to a single location. These kind of films live or die by their performances, and fortunately, both Fahy and Sklenar are up to the task. They bring just enough emotional complexity to keep things believable, even when the plot pushes toward the implausible. 

Still, while the premise is gripping, I found myself wishing the script had a bit more ‘meat’. I didn’t feel as fully invested in the characters as I should have, which slightly dulled the tension. The more you care about the people involved, the more you’re on the edge of your seat - and here, I stayed planted firmly in mine. 

That said, the movie is ultimately saved by its mystery element. The ‘whodunit’ angle adds an engaging layer, giving viewers a reason to stay curious even when the emotional stakes fall short. Trying to unravel who’s pulling the strings is part of the fun, and in that sense, the film delivers. 

Drop admittedly doesn’t reinvent the thriller wheel, but it’s a solid enough, engaging ride for fans of slow-burn suspense, anchored by strong performances and a killer premise.

And for that it’s worth falling for. 

ESP Rating: 3.5/5

Mike Clarke

Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough & Odeon Luxe Peterborough, Out Now

Cast: Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Violet Beane, Reed Diamond & Jeffery Self

Running Time: 1 Hr 35 Mins

Director: Christopher Landon

Film Review Venue: Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough

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