Christopher Landon’s latest Blumhouse thriller, <em>Drop</em>, received an enthusiastic response during its premiere at SXSW 2025. The gripping narrative follows a widowed mother, who is venturing out on her first date in several years. However, her long-awaited night takes a terrifying turn as an anonymous individual sends a series of chilling Bluetooth drops to her phone, transforming what should have been a romantic evening into a harrowing ordeal. The screenplay for this intense thriller was crafted by Jillian Jacobs and Christopher Roach, who have previously collaborated on the film Fantasy Island.
Drop features a standout performance from The White Lotus‘ Meghann Fahy, who portrays the widowed mother Violet, alongside Brandon Sklenar, who plays her date, Henry. A glowing review from ScreenRant highlights their performances, noting that “the film rests firmly on [Fahy’s] shoulders.” The film’s tight setting, reminiscent of single-location thrillers like Phone Booth, forces the viewer to focus on the characters and their inner conflicts, which both Fahy and Sklenar navigate with skill and depth.
During the SXSW 2025 event, ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley had the opportunity to sit down with Drop director Christopher Landon and stars Fahy and Sklenar to discuss what may be one of the festival’s standout hits. The conversation revolved around their own experiences with mysterious AirDrops, Landon’s exciting return to Blumhouse, and the intricate evolution of Drop’s characters. Additionally, Sklenar expressed his enthusiasm for a potential Happy Death Day 3, hinting at future projects.
Discover the Real-Life Inspirations Behind Drop
Unraveling the Mysterious AirDrop Experiences of Producers Brad & Cameron Fuller
While Drop was penned by Jillian Jacobs and Christopher Roach, its intriguing storyline originated from the real-life experiences of producers Brad and Cameron Fuller. Director Chris Landon shared an interesting anecdote: “They were on vacation, dining in a restaurant, when they started receiving AirDrops from someone else in the room. It turned into a game throughout dinner as they attempted to uncover the identity of the sender. Although they never figured out who it was, they left the dinner feeling inspired by the idea of turning this mystery into a movie concept.”
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Drop Review: A Riveting High-Stakes Mystery Thriller That Keeps You on the Edge of Your Seat
Landon’s film moves at a breakneck pace, leaving no time to linger on anything, effectively immersing the audience in Violet’s tense experience.
This relatable concept resonated deeply with the cast, especially Brandon Sklenar, who recounted his own bizarre AirDrop experiences: “Once, someone took a photo of me from behind and then AirDropped me that photo. It was unsettling to realize they were watching me while sending it.” Landon chimed in with a similar, albeit less PG-rated, experience, emphasizing the intriguing nature of these modern surprises.
Witness Violet’s Transformation Into a Powerful Heroine in Drop
Meghann Fahy Embodies Violet’s Journey from Shyness to Empowerment
The Drop trailer showcases a Violet who is visibly anxious about her first date in years, contemplating the possibility of canceling. However, as the story unfolds, she transitions into a much stronger character, a transformation that Meghann Fahy finds compelling.
It’s truly inspiring to witness her evolve into a superhero by the film’s conclusion. Initially, she appears nervous, shy, and overwhelmed by the idea of dating again after enduring significant trauma from her past relationship.
Fahy continues, “To see her really drop”—no pun intended—”into her power and take charge is incredibly fulfilling. The payoff for the audience is immensely satisfying.”
Brandon Sklenar Discusses the Intriguing Dynamics of Henry’s Attraction to Violet
Pun Intended: The Humor Behind Henry’s Connection with Violet
Based on the strong rapport between the Drop cast and director, the atmosphere on set was vibrant and enjoyable.
In discussing what draws Henry to Violet and why he remains by her side amidst the chaos, Sklenar remarked, “Well, he hasn’t truly connected with a woman in quite some time. She’s drop-dead gorgeous, and he’s willing to drop everything to be with her. As they sit together, he wonders, ‘When is the other shoe going to drop?’ It’s at this moment that he starts to think, ‘I might marry this girl.’”
Chris Landon Shares His Ambitions for a Potential Happy Death Day 3
Teasing a New Genre Exploration for a Potential Third Installment
Chris Landon is well-known for his work on the beloved films Happy Death Day and Happy Death Day 2U. However, it was “a long time ago” when he first pitched the idea for a third entry. Despite this, the director is still very much interested, stating: “I’ve had the idea for a long time. Jessica Rothe and I have discussed it extensively. The beauty of this new concept is that it’s not set on the same day and does not follow the same loop, so if the opportunity arises—if Universal decides they want a third installment because the fans are demanding it… I’m ready.”
The third film introduces an entirely new genre.
Landon elaborated that a potential Happy Death Day 3 would include characters from previous films, and he dropped an intriguing hint: “What’s fascinating is that each movie introduced a slightly different genre, and the third film will incorporate a completely new genre.”
Don’t miss our other SXSW 2025 interviews here:
Drop premiered on March 9 at SXSW 2025 and is set to hit theaters on April 11.
Source: Screen Rant Plus
