If you heard of a movie called Drop, there’s an array of possibilities as to what the title could refer to.  Is it about mountain climbers worried about falling into an icy crevasse?  Could it be about stockbrokers dealing with a plummeting bear market?  What about gangsters organising a place to exchange a kidnaped person for a suitcase full of cash?  It’s unlikely that your first guess would be what this new film from director Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day) is about.

It’s referring to AirDrop, the process by which someone nearby can share photos, videos and other files using their mobile phone.  So how is this the premise for a Hollywood thriller?  Allow me to explain.  Violet (Fahy) is a single mother who has finally harnessed the courage to go on a first date with a new guy, Henry (Sklenar), at a classy, rooftop restaurant.  It’s a rare night out of the house for Violet and so her sister (Beane) has taken on babysitting duties for her young son.

Within minutes of walking into the restaurant, Violet receives a “dropped” message on her phone.  She shrugs it off at first but after the pestering continues, she relents and looks at the messages.  Suffice to say it ain’t good.  A villainous person has broken into her home and, unless Violet does exactly what she’s told at dinner, the life of her son and sister will be in jeopardy.  Adding to the drama is that she knows it’s someone in the restaurant (you must be close by to AirDrop) but she’s unsure who.  Screenwriters Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach tease audiences with several suspects.

At a quick-paced 95-minutes, Drop isn’t a bad idea for a movie.  It’s a fresh approach on the whodunit genre as we watch our hero think through the situation, manage her stress levels, and outsmart her adversary.  Yeah, it’s a little far fetched but it’s still fun to think about what you’d do in the same situation.  Violet is warned not to tell anyone what’s going on, but could she find a way to alert someone about the imminent danger?  What if they’re in on it?  Who can she trust?

Drop held my attention, but the finale doesn’t offer enough to match the early intrigue.  It’s a little clumsy and contrived.  Still, this is a good-enough mystery thriller with a worthy lead performance from Meghann Fahy who will be known to audiences for her turn in the second season of The White Lotus.  It’s also a good reminder to not be checking your phone at dinner!