Drop is the best kind of thriller for those of us who don’t always do well with the genre and need a little hope and romance etched into the action and suspense. It’s not overtly one thing, making it all the more enticing as a film that surprisingly finds a solid balance to deliver a spectacle that’s thoroughly gripping from start to finish.
In many ways, much of it depends on the cast. Meghann Fahy is the kind of layered actress who continuously manages to command whatever room she’s in as she embodies a character with everything in her. It’s easy to care about and root for Violet as the face of the film, even while we don’t know the full scope of her story. Before her past even comes to life in fragments, Fahy shows viewers that there’s a lot more to her than meets the eye. She’s caring, she’s honest, and she’s vulnerable, which in turn allows the tension to feel that much more heartbreaking.
It’s easy to wish that the film emphasized more of the trauma behind abuse and the ramifications it leaves behind, but it’s also understandable why we don’t fully get there with the limitations within the genre. What we do see, however, is that it isn’t easy to trust someone, and it isn’t easy to open up. Still, Violet’s occupation as a therapist at the very least gives us the groundwork to know that she’s aware of coping mechanisms in a way that many don’t have the means to utilize unless they can also talk to someone.
This is largely why the romance works as it does, because otherwise, we don’t know Henry nearly long enough to root for him. With this, much of the trust also boils down to Brandon Sklenar’s performance and the tenderness he shows the audience and Violet. We get glimpses into his goodness from the things he says, but it’s the performance that leaves us with the very hope he discusses with Violet as they open up about their past struggles.
And then there’s the thriller of it all: the complex nature of our locations and apps and social media and how colossally dangerous all of that genuinely is, which heightens the intensity of everything that’s happening in a public location. The conversations about women’s safety and people everywhere watching as this discomfort unfolds are a nuanced addition to showcase a truly terrifying detail of the real world and how often these matters can be concealed when people aren’t looking close enough. The small glimpses we get into this corruption and all the dangers make Drop a profoundly smart thriller that isn’t just enthralling for the sake of entertainment, but for the pieces of authenticity that are sprinkled in.
In addition, Drop manages to pack in plenty in its relatively short runtime, which is a testament to the screenplay from Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach, as well as the performances. All of these details combined elevate the stakes and build on the tension, layering the characters and narrative with a striking balance. From the moment it opens to the very last shot, it intimately and quietly delivers something solid and memorable.
Drop is now streaming on Peacock.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Universal Pictures