First dates can be nerve‑racking at best and a waste of time, at worst. But what happens when the date becomes a nightmare? What happens when an anonymous stalker hacks your phone and threatens your son's life unless you do exactly as they say? For Violet (Meghann Fahy; The White Lotus), a domestic abuse survivor, that is what happens to her when she meets Henry (Brandon Sklenar; It Ends With Us) - the guy she has been speaking to online for months - in person. In April, the Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day) directed movie, Drop, showed audiences what could happen, and now it is available on 4K to relive her life‑altering date at home.
Violet is apprehensive about finally meeting Henry in person, but with her sister's, Jen (Violett Beane; The Flash), encouragement, Violet eventually relents and goes to meet Henry at Palate - a trendy, downtown Chicago restaurant. While she is waiting for Henry to arrive, Violet starts getting "drops" on her phone, each one increasingly menacing. Over the next hour, Violet is given instructions for tasks she must perform without alerting Henry. Meanwhile, Violet is trying to figure out who in the restaurant is sending her the drop messages.
There are numerous things to like about Drop, including the two main actors, Fahy and Sklenar. They have great chemistry even while enduring a very awkward first date, and Fahy does a great job of portraying a woman in distress while trying not to look distressed. Sklenar has an easy way about him that makes him act seemingly calm in any situation, even after being shot. The rest of the cast is good as well and play their parts as one would expect.
Christopher Landon uses interesting camera angles and extreme close‑ups to help build the suspense and mystery that the plot needs. His choice of lighting is very purposeful, especially as he highlights the "suspects" Violet is watching. Landon's choices are thoughtful and sometimes unique (for better or for worse) and overall create the drama and tension required to pull the film off.
The 2160p resolution with a 2.39:1 aspect ratio is the obvious choice, so that is no surprise. The clarity and sharpness of the picture quality is excellent and pretty much what one would expect. The green screen used for the vistas of the city at night could have come across as looking fake, but luckily, it doesn't, which is a bonus.
The Dolby Atmos audio is also very well done, providing the viewer with a clean audio track. The ambient noise in the restaurant is subtle and not overbearing, but it does add an element of realism as if the restaurant were an actual restaurant, piano player and all.
The combo pack comes with the 4K and Blu‑ray Discs and the digital download. It also includes a few extras, which are the Feature Commentary with Director Christopher Landon, A Recipe For Thrills: Making Drop, A Palate For Panic, and Killer Chemistry. While there aren't a lot of extras, the few offer some insight into the making of the movie. I found the making of the restaurant and all the details that went into it particularly interesting.
Even though Drop is categorized under the horror genre, it doesn't fit the mold of a gory, slasher movie, nor does it include any supernatural elements. It is a suspense thriller that takes the audience along for the ride. The only question that bugged me throughout the film was how the villain knew Henry would be going on a date with Violet at that restaurant that evening. It is a big plot hole that one could drive a Mack truck right through.
If you have ever been on a bad first date, you need to see Drop because I can assure you, yours couldn't be any worse than what Violet endured. If you enjoy a suspenseful thriller with a different plot and a very good cast, then Drop is right up your alley.
Grade: B
