Drop is what is referred to as a confined-setting film. A film where primarily most of the action and drama is taking place in one enclosed setting. It’s usually used in high tension, claustrophobic, entrapped environments.  It heightens the intensity of being trapped. Drop is also a self-aware film. It knows it is a movie. A movie that hits all the familiar tones and beats of what an entertaining drama, horror hostage film should have. Drop is filmmaking to enjoy filmmaking, the playfulness of movie-making is all on display, but the crucial element is that it is smoothly and silky edited. Fantastically edited. 

Written by Chris Roach and Jillian Jacobs and Directed by Christopher Landon, is slowly emerging as the go-to guy for horror since he also wrote “Heart Eyes,” embarking on the themes of social media, on-line dating, cell-phone addiction, hostage/ransom  horror, and spousal abuse trauma. We follow a trauma recovery single-mom going on her first date, only to be air-dropped anonymous threats to kill her date or lose her child. A simple story that has been used a great many times but gets upgraded with the inclusion of non-stop cell phone usage by everyone in the film. Landon is smart to use practically unknowns to be cast in this to give the feel of a wee bit of realism. He then counters that by occasionally cutting a few scenes into a dream-like surreal dread by pulling the camera away to all black or distorting the environment to fit the mood of the person, clever. Clever in every part of it. Even where to pepper the comedy in.

Drop is crisp and fits absolutely into the now of cinema. I don’t think it is pushing boundaries or challenging trends, it is just enjoying being in the trend of cinema at this time. I just don’t know if it will hold or endure for years or months to come but it is for the now- that’s for sure.  Drop is the kind of storytelling and rich aesthetic we would come to expect from a Blumhouse production. Drop is at most entertaining, and mostly just wants to be that. It will keep your heart going with its palpable suspense, and make your jaw fall. 7.3/10