Who hasn’t had an epically terrible first date?

It may well’t be worse than what our heroine endures in “Drop.” The thriller imagines a worst-case state of affairs with a twist certain to make audiences squirm.

Sure, every little thing that would go unsuitable does on this date from hell, however you possibly can’t cease rooting for this couple to make it to Date No. 2.

That units this lean shocker other than lesser fare.

Violet (Meghann Fahy) is overdue for a romantic night time in town. She’s a widowed mother who all the time places her cute son Toby first. She’s been cyber-flirting with a photographer for weeks, and it’s lastly time for them to fulfill.

That’s Henry (“Inexperienced and Gold‘s” Brandon Sklenar), a good-looking gent who appears simply as keen for love. They’ve chosen a restaurant with a shocking view of downtown Chicago, so the temper is good.

Besides Violet’s cellphone gained’t cease buzzing. She thinks it’s her sister, touching base about some minor toddler hiccup. As a substitute, it’s a collection of “DigiDrops” (suppose AirDrops) from somebody within the restaurant.

Have a look at your property safety cameras in your cellphone’s app, the message tells her. She sees a masked man lurking inside her home, mere yards away from Toby.

The stranger calls for she do precisely what he requests or lil’ Toby gained’t survive the night time.

The trailer provides away much more of the story, suggesting it’ll be a loooong 60-plus minutes till we get both a reveal or a decision. Director Christopher Landon (the wonderful “Freaky“) retains our curiosity whereas making the absurd occasions as rational as doable.

Sure, most males would have fled the restaurant after quarter-hour of Violet staring obsessively at her cellphone. The movie acknowledges this whereas leaning, onerous, on the couple’s chemistry. It pops off the display.

Violet and Henry deliver some severe Samsonite baggage to the date. Her previous is cleverly revealed all through the story, whereas we get glimpses of why he’s so hesitant. Violet’s again story is heavier, suggesting an imbalance that raises the emotional stakes.

That grounds a movie that goes from surreal to absurd at warp pace. And we haven’t gotten to the third-act fireworks but.

Meghann Fahy and Brandon Sklenar reply our Very Necessary Questions on their newest movie, #Drop, from @blumhouse, which *drops* into theaters April 11. pic.twitter.com/5eJrNEpWRn

— Los Angeles Occasions (@latimes) March 18, 2025

Screenwriters Jillian Jacobs and Christopher Roach populate the restaurant with quirky characters, the sort that relieve rigidity whereas nudging the plot alongside. We meet a nervous, middle-aged man on his personal blind date and a plucky bartender who serves as Violet’s counselor.

Plus, Violet’s server is a wannabe actor who thinks he’s “performing” for the brand new couple.

Humorous. Partaking. And mandatory given the stress in play with each new “DigiDrop.”

You’ll be able to’t escape “Drop” with out muttering, “Oh, come ON” not less than as soon as (it occurred to this critic on the very finish). The setup is unbelievable, and the execution is much more laughable.

That’s unlucky, however from the beginning, we’re captive to the screenwriters’ knack for mixing the preposterous with moments that really feel all too actual.

That blend makes “Drop” value a reservation. Simply know if you happen to’re bringing a date the night time can’t go any worse than what’s occurring on display.

HiT or Miss: “Drop” delivers head-smacking contrivances, however the core of the movie is not possible to withstand.