The Intriguing Origin of *Drop*: A Thriller Inspired by a Unique Dinner Experience
The suspenseful narrative behind *Drop*, the latest thriller from Blumhouse and Platinum Dunes, traces back to an unexpected incident during a vacation in Italy three years ago. This film explores the chaotic first date of a widowed mother, thrown into turmoil by alarming and anonymous messages sent to her phone.
Producers Cameron Fuller and Sam Lerner were having dinner in a bustling restaurant when the evening took a bizarre turn. Someone began sending unsettling Shrek memes via AirDrop to Lerner’s girlfriend, Olivia Sui. As the night progressed, a lively hunt ensued to identify the source of the memes.
Fuller recounted, “We were determined to discover who was behind it. Throughout our meal, we were fixated on pinpointing the culprit. We even tracked the person we suspected to the pool, hoping to confirm it was them—but it wasn’t.”This curious incident ultimately inspired the concept for a film.
AirDrop, a convenient feature on iPhones allowing users to share files without needing contact details, proved to be a catalyst for creativity. Lerner remarked, “As I enjoyed a bottle of wine, the thought struck me—this could be a brilliant movie premise.”He credits the unexpected AirDrop incident as a significant moment for their storytelling journey.
Upon returning from Italy, Fuller and Lerner connected with writers Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach, with whom Lerner had previously collaborated on the 2018 horror film *Truth or Dare*. Together, they devised a concept centered around a traumatic AirDrop attack occurring during the intensity of a first date.
Meghann Fahy and Brandon Sklenar arrive at the L.A premiere of #Drop pic.twitter.com/0Abd0SuNHO
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) April 9, 2025
In *Drop*, Meghann Fahy stars as Violet, a character who embarks on a date with Henry, portrayed by Brandon Sklenar, while her sister looks after her young son at home. As their evening unfolds, the messages escalate rapidly from playful memes to menacing threats, demanding Violet make a harrowing choice: kill her date or face deadly consequences for her son.
This film marks Fahy’s foray into the thriller genre, following her notable performances in *The White Lotus* and *The Perfect Couple*. She expressed excitement about the project, stating, “This experience was incredible, and I’m eager to take on more challenges in this genre. I gained profound insights into the complexities of filmmaking; what appears straightforward can actually be incredibly difficult.”
Fahy also mentioned how discussions with director Christopher Landon drew inspiration from iconic films of the early 2000s. They referenced thrillers such as *Red Eye*, *Speed*, and *Panic Room*, emphasizing a real-time narrative that unfolds in confined spaces, inviting audiences to engage deeply with the characters’ journeys.
*Drop* is set to hit theaters this Friday, promising to deliver an engaging blend of suspense and psychological tension.