Drop (2025)

I have to be honest this wasn't the film I thought it was going to be. What I mean by that is I somehow got confused and thought this film was the film that Olivia Sui made and being the curious Smosh fan that I am of course I was going to check it out. However after loading the movie up I instantly realised this wasn't it, but I have seen the trailer before so I knew roughly what I was getting into. That being said I clearly wasn't smart enough to realise the name of the film meant 'airdrop'. As in the photos and messages the main character was recieving. I thought it meant a literal drop because I had seem the snippet of her hanging out the window of a tall building and thought that was a large part of the film. I'm ashamed to say I didn't even realise it meant airdrop until an hour in. Clearly today has not been my day but we persist.

I still am glad in a way that I picked this film because it has given me a range of films from the old school classics up to the moderns. Is this film particularly advertised as a horror? No, and that's on me. But it is a thriller so although it isn't technically a Halloween considered film I feel it isn't far off because to me horror and thriller and brothers. Anyway, with that information in mind I will try and be more accepting towards the film but I must say I wasn't the biggest fan. I think a large reason for this is because of the dynamics they were trying to establish. It felt to me as very much trying too hard to be too relatable which as I have discussed many times is a difficult balance to find. That being said it wasn't a horrible showcase, there wasn't any over exaggeration but in a way that made it worse. It was just a slight leaning towards what I would say is trying to be cool or based in reality which made it feel like a try hard but because it was only a small amount it made it more humourous than it probably should have been.

In terms of character I viewed Violet as an older cousin I see only at family gatherings, I used to think she was cool so looked upto her in an endearing way but I also haven't seen her in a while so feel awkward around her. It was an unusual relationship where I didn't hate her I just didn't connect with her or think she was as deeply expanded. I'm not sure, I was just overall unsure. That being said there were a few rare moments that I enjoyed. Largely the number of parallels that she was put in between her last relationship and her now was very interesting to see. These happened towards the end of the film such as when Violet finally confronted Richard at his table and did the grand reveal of switching the poisons. Not only was it a badass moment and reveal especially because I was fully waiting for her to admit she took the poison and for her to be rushed to the hospital for her self sacrifice but the speech she gave was so much better. Having her have this moment where she says she got used to lying and putting on a face and that's come in handy because she can fool this other person who is so reminiscent to her abusive ex. It showed how she has shifted and is taking a stand for herself and her family by taking back the power which was such a bold move I was loving it and was so glad to see it.

Furthermore having the exact same scene with Violet lying on the floor and two murderous threats towering over her was so great to see. In the first instance it was Violet and her ex husband as he towered over her threatening to shoot both her and then their child. It was a difficult scene to watch but in terms of characterisation it showed how helpless she was in that situation and that relationship. How at that point in time it is always difficult to even acknowledge that a relationship is toxic and an even harder step to make that change, especially in situations that can be dangerous. It is completely understandable why things happened as they did but it only emphasised the difference in Violet when years later the exact same situation is happening and instead of freezing she shoots the aggressor. I also liked how it wasn't just that Violet had finally gotten the courage to hit back but it was a push she got from her son. It was her son who drove the toy car and gave her the gun as if to give her this final push and encouragement and understanding about everything summed up in one action which she took and utilised with the help and love of her son behind her. Not to mention having her son take that step himself showing that he too has grown up and gotten stronger that he can help stand up for himself. I also think it just brought out the Sherlock side of me slightly when choosing between the poison drinks so what's not to love.

However I do still have questions about Henry because what the hell is his job? I watched the whole movie and I still don't know. I understand clearly he was a photographer but that wasn't his full job, instead he was just posing as a photographer to get images and proof of the mayor's embezzlement but where does one even know of that. Is he an undercover cop? Or was it that he really was a photographer and then came across this information and decided to immediately rat him out. I'm still unsure but regardless Violet has to marry him after everything he did. I mean he was doing laps of the resteraunte the second she mentioned she was getting drops that is commitment and he was so deeply invested for her instantly and caring about the son. Then he was pulling Violet to safety when she was hanging out the window even after getting shot. If you don't marry him after that then what are you doing! I was also slightly concerned for the hostess because would she not have seen that Violet was asking for help? In an attempt to get help Violet walked to the hostess, out of range of the culprit, to call for help and when that failed talk to an online chatbot. Both didn't end up working and so she left but I don't remember ever seeing her close the internet tabs so surely her attempt to reach out for help about a hostage situation would still be prominent on the screen even after leaving. What's more would they not have a record of someone trying to call 911 on their phones. I thought help would come from that but it was never mentioned again. Shame on the hostess in that case.

Overall it wasn't a terrible film but not one I can see myself watching again or recommending to others. If you want a film for background noise or the occasional plot twist than this may be for you however for me I do not feel it stood out prominently as anything. Again this one is on me as it is not your classic horror/ Halloween film but taking that aspect out of things the mystery itself wasn't that great. It seemed to lead upto this huge grand reveal with how much suspense and smarts were involved with the bugs and changing details yet the reveal didn't feel that grand. It was simply agreed upon that they had found the right person, he shot a few people and then fell out a building. The only real suspense or time for rooting came at the end when Violet was rushing home to her son and even that wasn't the most engaging to watch. Overall it just felt a little disappointing. As I said it was like a cousin you once thought was cool and would make a name for themselves just to grow older and realise they are as normal and boring as the rest of us. A slight case of wasted potential in my opinion.