From director Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day 1 & 2, Freaky) comes a slightly more serious suspense thriller with just the right amount of comedy. This movie was screened at this year’s SXSW Film & TV Festival, but I decided to skip it due to my interest in other films screening at the same time. Regardless of that choice, I was glad that I had the opportunity to screen it because I had a great time with it.
Violet (Meghann Fahy), a widowed mother of a son (Jacob Robinson) has finally decided that she is ready to reenter the dating world after connecting with a sweet and charming photographer named Henry (Brandon Sklenar). Worried and stressed about her first date in a long time, Violet manages to muster the courage to proceed with the plans and meets Henry at a very posh restaurant at the top of a skyscraper building. Though things start off smoothly, Violet begins receiving bizarre messages from an anonymous source challenging her to kill her date or face the consequences. These consequences involve the very real threat of the death of her son, Toby (Jacob Robinson), and his babysitter, who happens to be her younger sister, Jen (Violett Beane).
Written by Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach, Christopher Landon’s Drop delivers a palpable thriller that will keep audiences guessing who the real antagonist is. Though the movie drags in parts and features some silly choices by the filmmakers, I found myself genuinely entertained and sometimes enthralled by the film’s events.
What makes this movie work so well is the impressive lead performance by actor Meghann Fahy, who portrays Violet well. She beautifully captures and displays the various emotions of a mother in peril while trying to keep her state of mind intact to save her family members and just have a good date.
I was mostly satisfied with the rest of the cast’s acting. Some shine brighter than others, but not one person totally derails either the comedy or the drama. I absolutely enjoyed this film and would highly recommend it to fans of suspenseful thrillers.