Blumhouse’s latest thriller,Drop, is getting widely praised, with mostly positive reviews from critics. FromHappy Death Daydirector Christopher Landon,Dropstars Meghann Fahy as Violet, a single mother who goes on a first date and gets tormented via her smartphone with a series of airdrops demanding that she kill her date to save her son’s life. Violet has to race against time to figure out who’s sending the airdrops before it’s too late.
Dropis Blumhouse’s first “fresh” movie of the year on Rotten Tomatoes.AfterWolf Manwas met with a lukewarm score of 50% andThe Woman in the Yardscored an even lower 43%,Drophas earned an impressive 83% on the review aggregator site. AlthoughDroponly opened in fifth place at the box office, it’s been met with widespread critical acclaim. So, what are the critics saying aboutDrop?
Tense Atmosphere and Modern Hitchcockian Elements
Image via Universal Pictures
When it comes to nail-biting cinematic thrillers, Alfred Hitchcock is the gold standard, andDropadheres to the tenets of a Hitchcockian thriller.It takes place mostly in one location, it sets up an intriguing mystery with a bomb under the table (or, rather, back at Violet’s house), and it ratchets up the suspense with a series of unexpected twists and turns. With its slicker, sexier, bloodier approach,Dropis closer to one of Brian De Palma’s reimaginings of a Hitchcock thriller than the work of Hitch himself, but it’s edge-of-your-seat entertainment nonetheless.
In her review forCBR, Hannah Rose wrote thatDrop“revisits the classic Hitchcock thriller but with a sleek modern edge.”
With its menacing memes and threatening text messages,Dropputs a modern spin on the Hitchcockian thriller.In her review forCBR, Hannah Rose wrote thatDrop“revisits the classic Hitchcock thriller but with a sleek modern edge.” It brings theWhen a Stranger Callstrope into the age of smartphones.
While some reviews forDrophave criticized the movie for its pulpy plot contrivances and its absurdly action-packed final act,Fahy’s lead performance has been unanimously praised.All throughout the movie, Violet is terrified for her son’s life, but has to put on a fake smile and act like everything’s okay. Fahy pulls that off spectacularly, capturing everything going through Violet’s head with subtle facial expressions and body language.
In her review forMovieWeb, Britt Hayes wrote that Fahy “grounds the film” with a “very relatable” portrayal of a woman who has her guard up and feels unsafe on a date.Drop’s thriller storyline is an extravagant horror metaphor for the feeling that many single women experience on a date.Fahy’s performance captures that feeling perfectly.
3Drop Isn’t Always Realistic, But It Is Always Entertaining
Engaging Entertainment Despite Some Unrealistic Moments
Even the positive reviews forDropconcede that it isn’t always realistic, especially in its extravagant third act when it basically becomesDie Hard.But it’s entertaining enough to keep you suspending your disbelief.Screen Rant’s own Mae Abdulbaki wrote that, while there are elements inDropthat “seem too convenient and outlandish,” that’s ultimately irrelevant, because the movie’s “thrills, performances, and pacing are just so good.”
Whether it’s always realistic or not, it’s an “exceptionally fun” movie that’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.Fahy’s engaging lead performance and a steady stream of jaw-dropping plot twists ensure that fridge logic never gets in the way of the viewing experience. It’s still a riveting rollercoaster ride even when it gets a little silly.
2Christopher Landon Directs The Movie With Plenty Of Style
Christopher Landon’s Stylish Direction
As with his previous movies, Landon directsDropwith a boatload of style.The way he seamlessly mixes Violet’s airdrops and text messages into the frame is ingenious. There’s one great shot when Violet is in a bathroom stall, looking at her home security cameras, and the security footage is plastered across the walls of the stall. As Violet narrows down the restaurant’s patrons to a handful of suspects, Landon dims the rest of the set and puts a spotlight on the select few.Dropmight have more style than substance, but it still makes for thrilling viewing.
1Drop Has Plenty Of Fun With Its High-Concept Premise
Clever and Enjoyable High-Concept Premise
A lot ofhigh-concept movies likeDropfail when they don’t fully explore the potential of their premise.Hancockturns its story of an alcoholic superhero into a lecture on public relations with a weird sibling reveal.Downsizinggives up on its satire of overpopulation halfway through and just becomes a standard drama. Thankfully,Dropdoesn’t have that problem.
Landon has a ton of fun withDrop’s premise, exploring every possible avenue this story could take.Collider’s Nate Richard describedDropas “the perfect date-night movie,” and wrote that it will have crowds “gasping, laughing, and interacting with the screen.”Dropis a rare thriller that actually capitalizes on its great premise.
