From director Christopher Landon, known for films like Happy Death Day and Freaky, and screenwriters Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach comes Drop, a mystery thriller that prioritizes an elaborate puzzle over genuine suspense. Violet (Meghann Fahy), a widow with a history of domestic abuse, has focused so intently on raising her son that she’s lost touch with dating. After connecting with someone named Henry (Brandon Sklenar) through a dating app, Violet agrees to meet him for a first date. The evening starts promisingly, but Violet soon begins receiving strange memes via AirDrop. Initially dismissing them, she's alarmed when the sender—referred to as The Dropper—reveals knowledge of her name and threatens harm to her younger sister, Jen (Violett Beane), and son unless she remains silent about the situation. Despite a cast of recognizable actors, Drop delivers mostly solid performances. Meghann Fahy conveys considerable distress while maintaining composure, forced to carry out unpleasant tasks while appearing to enjoy herself. Brandon Sklenar portrays a seemingly decent man with an unusual occupation—a photographer for the mayor—and his expressions often suggest genuine concern. The film culminates in a chaotic final ten minutes. Much of Drop unfolds within Palate, an extravagant restaurant situated high above the city. Violet is compelled to stay at the restaurant, confining most of the action to the bar, their table, or the restroom. The conclusion brings all plot threads together as violence erupts—people are shot and thrown from windows—the intruder targets Violet’s sister and son, and themes of past abuse, both physical and emotional, resurface. However, the majority of Drop feels repetitive and slow-paced. The film attempts to create an atmosphere of mystery by introducing various individuals at the restaurant as potential Droppers. It's established that someone must be within 50 feet to send an AirDrop, meaning several people Violet encounters could be responsible—including a flirtatious bartender, a man preoccupied with his phone, a socially awkward man on his first date in years, and a nervous waiter new to the job. Violet’s behavior during the date is highly questionable and raises numerous red flags. Henry's persistence throughout the ordeal seems remarkable. The Dropper forces Violet into compromising situations, such as retrieving a memory card from Henry’s camera and attempting to harm him. She also acts erratically, lying repeatedly and changing tables impulsively, while constantly checking her phone. The core issue with Drop is that the audience doesn't become invested in the identity of The Dropper. It functions as a whodunit where the solution lacks significance. The trailer suggested more scenes of the intruder’s actions at Violet’s home, but the film largely consists of Violet texting and wandering around Palate because The Dropper is being deliberately unpleasant. Drop extends a simple game far beyond its limits. While the performances are surprisingly good and the ending is wild, a movie centered on distressing text messages and peculiar behavior in an upscale restaurant can only go so far.

Source on TMDB