From the twisted mind of Happy Death Day director Christopher Landon comes Drop, a lean, adrenaline-spiked thriller that gleefully blends paranoia, tech-fueled dread, and razor-sharp tension into a brisk 95-minute ride. Now available to own physically for the first time, Drop gets the kind of home release that enhances its already tense atmosphere, delivering strong visual and audio presentation alongside compelling bonus content that fans of the film will genuinely appreciate.
The story centers on Violet (Meghann Fahy), a widowed mother whose attempt at reentering the dating world turns nightmarish when a romantic dinner with the seemingly perfect Henry (Brandon Sklenar) is interrupted by a series of sinister, anonymous messages. The catch? They’re all delivered via real-time phone notifications that soon escalate from disturbing to deadly. With chilling instructions involving her family’s safety and an ominous final command—“Kill Henry”—the film plays out like a high-stakes chess game under candlelight.
Set almost entirely within the confines of a sleek, upscale restaurant, Drop makes inspired use of its single location. It's a bottle movie with teeth, capitalizing on the intimacy of the setting while pushing its characters into ever-increasing states of distress. The lighting is moody but never overdone, and the production design of the restaurant—explored more in-depth in the bonus feature A Palate for Panic—feels like a character unto itself. The smart use of text graphics to visualize the messages gives the film a modern edge without ever overwhelming the narrative.
One of the most exciting things about Drop is how much it feels like a forgotten gem you might have discovered on a Friday night VHS rental shelf—a compact, twisty, and entertaining thriller that doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s a breath of fresh air in a media landscape saturated with reboots and sequels. The plot may offer a few familiar genre beats, but the reveal is sharp and legitimately surprising. Even the red herrings feel purposeful, designed to make the audience question everyone and everything.
The home release features Dolby Atmos on the 4K and Blu-ray formats, providing a rich soundstage that heightens the tension with every incoming ping and rising orchestral swell from composer Bear McCreary. The 4K transfer looks excellent, with a clean 2.39:1 presentation that preserves the film’s stylized visuals. Subtitles are available in English, French Canadian, and Latin American Spanish, making the release broadly accessible.
Bonus features add a welcome layer of value here. A Recipe for Thrills: Making Drop gives insight into Landon's approach to escalating tension and character dynamics. Killer Chemistry dives into Fahy and Sklenar’s on-screen connection, while the full commentary by Landon is a must-listen for aspiring filmmakers and fans of his previous work. This isn't just a bare-bones release—it's one that respects both the material and its audience.
While the film’s final act may stumble slightly in its effort to deliver a satisfying crescendo, those few questionable decisions don’t undo the tight construction and escalating dread that precede them. It’s a rare thriller that can balance sharp writing, visual style, and legitimate emotional stakes without tipping into melodrama or losing its grip.
Drop is the kind of fun, fast-paced thriller that earns its place on your shelf. With a slick presentation, excellent performances, and genuinely suspenseful plotting, it’s an easy recommendation for genre fans and casual viewers alike. And with original IPs becoming rarer, this one is well worth your support.
Jessie Hobson