Sometimes, a movie just breaks a person’s suspension of disbelief limit.
The latest film to do so is from Christopher Landon, known for helming “Happy Death Day” and its sequel. His new film, “Drop,” is a thriller, and centers on Violet (Meghann Fahy), a widowed single mother about to go on a date with a promising match from an app.
Violet arrives at the restaurant they decided on, a fancy eatery in a Chicago skyscraper, and, after some waiting, meets her match, Henry (Brandon Sklenar). The night seems to be going OK until Violet’s phone starts getting digital drops with messages saying her son will be harmed if she doesn’t kill her date, who’s knows about a government secret.
Suspension of disbelief and internal logic are two very important things in a movie, and when they falter, it can really dampen a film-watching experience. That’s the case with “Drop,” a film that, in terms of what’s believable, bites off more than it can chew the more it goes on.
As we learn additional details about the big nefarious plot that’s really going on, the more nonsensical and, honestly, impractical, the whole thing becomes. It gets to the point where a person gets frustrated with the protagonist, the antagonist and the situation as a whole.
That’s not to say the movie doesn’t work at all. The premise isn’t even the worst either, but it certainly needed to be tweaked for a more well-rounded and logically-sound experience. There are in fact some exciting and suspenseful moments, as well as a couple scenes of levity to keep the movie from feeling overly serious.
It just becomes hard to appreciate, though, when the audience learns the lengths to which the villains are going for their plan that is honestly so convoluted and nonsensical. It got to a point where I threw my hands up in the air and gawked at what was going on.
This could maybe work in more of a romp, but this is meant to be a movie that mostly thrills. Again, it has some humor, sure, but for the most part it wants you to be on the edge of your seat.
To its credit, the final set pieces, as everything comes to a head in the climax is quite exciting. It’s also good that everything was able to be done in a swift 90 minutes.
As for who’s on screen, the film is alright. Meghann Fahy, who brings a strong mix of experience from theater, television and film, is rather good as the lead character who’s put in a nearly impossible situation. Brandon Sklenar also gives a committed performance as Violet’s date, though his character is a little too perfect at times.
The rest of the acting, though, is hit or miss, and the dialogue in some places is rough. The writing overall just isn’t quite strong enough, both in terms of what characters say and what everyone’s plotting.
Conceptually, “Drop” isn’t bad, but the creative decisions cause this one to veer off track. Not quite bad, but ultimately a frustrating watch. Some performances and a bit of genuine suspense is here, but this is still a disappointment. 2.25 out of 5.
Matthew Liedke on Film 
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