DROP (2025) 4K UHD

Review by John Larkin

It’s surprising that a film like DROP hadn’t been made sooner. Its simple premise—a woman on a first date begins receiving ominous messages while witnessing what appears to be a home invasion on her phone—is executed with precision and a distinctly Hitchcockian flair.

Meghann Fahy delivers a riveting performance as Violet Gates, a widowed single mother thrust into a psychological nightmare when anonymous AirDrop-style threats begin targeting her and her family. Her portrayal is grounded, vulnerable, and quietly fierce, anchoring the film emotionally as the tension escalates.

Much like some of Hitchcock’s finest work, DROP unfolds almost entirely in a single location—in this case, a sleek, modern restaurant. The confined setting heightens the suspense, turning everyday moments into nerve-wracking beats. The film’s real-time structure and mounting dread call to mind REAR WINDOW and ROPE, but its themes are unmistakably modern.

Unlike the themes Hitchcock explored in the past, DROP explores contemporary fears: digital surveillance, emotional trauma, and the fragility of personal security. It’s a smart, taut thriller that updates Hitchcock’s blueprint for the age of smartphones, social media and curated personas. The structure, tone, and craftsmanship feel like something Hitchcock himself might have admired—If he had lived to witness the anxiety and pervasive sense of impending doom that define our modern era.

Admittedly, the third act requires a bit of suspension of disbelief, and a few character choices may stretch plausibility. But the film is tightly directed and well-paced that these bumps barely distract from the overall experience. It’s easy to imagine this have been a fun, gripping watch in a crowded theater.

4K UHD Disc Review

The 4K release of DROP is excellent, both in presentation and bonus features.

Video & Audio:The visual transfer is crisp and atmospheric, perfectly capturing the moody lighting of the restaurant and the subtle facial expressions that drive so much of the tension. Sound design is especially important in a thriller like this, and the disc delivers immersive, well-balanced audio that heightens the claustrophobia and digital dread.

Bonus Features Include:

• A RECIPE FOR THRILLS: MAKING DROPJoin the cast and crew as they break down the ingredients of this suspenseful date-gone-wrong and discuss how the film was crafted.

• A PALATE FOR PANICA fascinating look at the set design of PALATE, the fictional restaurant in the film—an environment that functions as both a dining space and a pressure cooker of tension.

• KILLER CHEMISTRY A candid conversation with Meghann Fahy and Brandon Sklenar on developing their on-screen dynamic and keeping their characters emotionally grounded amid escalating chaos.

• FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER LANDONAn insightful, engaging commentary that explores the film’s influences, production challenges, and storytelling choices.

This disc is well worth spinning, especially if you’re a fan of taut thrillers with minimalist style and maximum suspense. DROP is a modern nail-biter that nods to the past while feeling eerily timely—and the 4K release does it justice.