NYCC 2024: Drop's Christopher Landon & Meghann Fahy Talk Blumhouse's Twisty Technological Thriller

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Drop

Christopher Landon is reuniting with the folks at Blumhouse for another twisty thrill ride in Drop. Landon's collaborative history with the indie producing studio began with 2010's Paranormal Activity 2, becoming the Paranormal Activity franchise's primary writer for almost every subsequent installment, including directing the 2014 spinoff The Marked Ones, and though he was not part of the original final installment's team, but would return for Next of Kin. Beyond Paranormal Activity, Landon also made a name for himself with the Happy Death Day movies and Freaky, as well as the Netflix supernatural comedy We Have a Ghost.

In Drop, Landon tells the story of Violet, a widowed young mother going on her first date in years with a man named Henry at an upscale restaurant. Though things start off well, the night gradually takes a turn when an unknown person begins airdropping various threats and an indication that the person is the hooded figure she sees on her home security cameras. In order to make everything stop and keep her family safe, Violet is presented with an unthinkable request.

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The Drop cast is led by Emmy-nominated White Lotus alum Meghann Fahy as Violet alongside 1923's Brandon Sklenar as Henry, Truth or Dare's Violett Beanne, Jacob Robinson, Moneyball's Reed Diamons, Power Book IV: Force's Gabrielle Ryan, Mack & Rita's Jeffrey Self, The Mindy Project's Ed Weeks and The Lake's Travis Nelson. Partnering Landon with fellow Blumhouse vets Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach, who previously co-wrote the studio's Fantasy Island reboot, the movie aims to deliver a thought-provoking and fast-paced exploration of modern technology and dating.

In honor of New York Comic Con 2024, Screen Rant interviewed Christopher Landon and Meghann Fahy to discuss Drop, some of the themes being explored in the twisty Blumhouse thriller, being careful in sharing too many details about the film, why Landon was drawn in by Jacobs and Roach's script, the ongoing wait for Happy Death Day 3 to be made, and Fahy's thoughts on a potential White Lotus return.

Drop Is Meant To Be A "Hitchcockian" Thriller With Modern Technology

"...you realize how something so seemingly benign can turn into something sinister."

Israel Broussard and Jessica Rothe in Happy Death Day 2U

Screen Rant: Chris, first question is for you. This is far from your first collaboration with Blumhouse. Can you talk about the film, Drop, and what we can expect from it?

Christopher Landon: Yeah, so Drop is a very fast-paced thriller, contained in one location for the most part. It's a sort of Hitchcockian, '90s thriller with modern technology, and it's very intense and really scary.

How do you balance the realistic portrayal of technology with the thriller aspect of the film?

Christopher Landon: I mean, look, the thriller aspect of the film exists because of the technology, and so they're very tied together, and I think that what was so fun about that was that we get to take something that's familiar to everyone — the technology that we all use — and then it becomes weaponized, and you realize how something so seemingly benign can turn into something sinister. I think that's really the relatable thrill of the movie.

What makes Drop unique, and how did Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach's script stand out from other Blumhouse thrillers?

Christopher Landon: Look, they wrote a really compelling script. It was really exciting, and I read a lot, it's part of my job, and this was such a pleasure to read, and I knew that there was so much there that we could mine. There's no such thing as a good film made from a bad script. Unless you like really bad movies, which I also like, so I should maybe take that back. But yeah, it was just a really strong script with a really great concept, and then, even greater, the character that I really wanted to go on a journey with.

Violet's Relationship With Her Family is The Centerpoint Of The Movie's Stakes

"What wouldn't you do for the people that you love?"

Daphne looking sadly at Ethan in The White Lotus season 2

What can you tell us about your character, Violet?

Meghann Fahy: Violet is a single mother who is going on a first date for the first time in a long time. She is cautiously optimistic. She almost doesn't go, but then her sister talks her into it, and it's all downhill from there.

Can you talk about Violet's relationship with her son and sister, and how that drives the action throughout the film?

Meghann Fahy: Well, yeah, it kind of creates the stakes for the audience when these two relationships, which for Violet are the two most important relationships in her life. When those are jeopardized, it becomes a situation of, "What wouldn't you do for the people that you love?" I think, obviously, as the film unfolds, that becomes very complicated because — well, I can't say why. [Laughs] But yeah, ultimately, I think it's that, it really creates the stakes. We meet her son and her sister first, and care a lot about them, so as soon as they're in peril, the audience, hopefully, feels invested.

Christopher Landon: And this is a tough movie to talk about because there are so many secrets and spoilers and I have to stop myself all the time when I'm talking about it, because I don't want to ruin it for anybody. But that's also part of the joy of it, because audiences are going to sit and watch this movie, and they are guessing the whole time.

Drop Doesn't Harp On Its Technology Themes (But Still "Feels So Immersive")

"...that theme and that idea magnified by a billion."

Kathryn Newton smiling at the end of Freaky

I do want to ask about how the film delves into the vulnerabilities of personal technology. How do you think that things will resonate with viewers?

Meghann Fahy: What's so interesting is, for me, it doesn't feel like a movie that is commenting on that, and I won't say how Chris did it, but he did achieve making a film where one of the main characters is a phone, and yet you don't feel like you are watching the movie through the phone. He has really achieved this way of presenting the film that feels so immersive and so character-driven.

Ultimately, you're on a date with these two people who are just getting to know each other, and obviously, there's all these exterior circumstances that make everything insane. But I think, for me, it's not that it doesn't comment on it. Obviously, how can you avoid that? And the truth is, everybody who's alive and has a cell phone knows what it's like to get a random message, so it's relatable in that way.

Christopher Landon: But I think what it also dovetails into is this — and again, it's another thing that is really relatable for people, which is experiencing online abuse, and how that is something that I know everybody can relate to. Everyone has experienced that on social media in some aspect or another, and how dangerous and threatening that anonymity can feel sometimes. So, it's sort of like that theme and that idea magnified by a billion.

If to tease our fans out there for Drop as a whole, what three words would you use to tease this film?

Meghann Fahy: Intense, surprising, and romantic. I feel that people aren't expecting romance. And they shouldn't, because there's none. I'm kidding. [Chuckles] Or am I? Guess you'll have to find out on April 11th!

Christopher Landon: You did that really well. Suspenseful, funny —

Meghann Fahy: Unhinged?

Christopher Landon: Unhinged, I like that.

Happy Death Day 3 Is "Nowhere Near" Getting Made

"...it's up to the people who control all the money."

Jessica Rothe as Tree in Happy Death Day

Now, Chris, switching gears for a second. Happy Death Day is back in theaters in April, I believe.

Christopher Landon: It actually was back in theaters a week ago. Just this past Wednesday, they did a one-night event, if I'm not mistaken. I wanted to be there, but I was on a mixing stage working on this movie, but they showed it at a bunch of AMC theaters.

I know that Jessica said that Universal and Blumhouse just need to get their ducks in a row for a third film. Are we any closer to getting Happy Death Day 3 off the ground?

Christopher Landon: She made that sound real good. No, no. We are nowhere near making a third movie. That's just the truth. Look, I've said it a million times, we would both love to do it, but it's up to the people who control all the money.

Fahy Feels "Really Good" About Leaving Daphne's White Lotus Journey Behind

"...never say never, obviously."

Daphne smiling and sitting at the breakfast table in The White Lotus

Switching gears for you for a second. You're killing it in mystery dramas about rich white people experiencing murder. Have you spoken to Mike White about checking back into The White Lotus anytime soon?

Meghann Fahy: I feel really good about her journey. I love that character so much, and I mean, never say never, obviously. But no, I feel like she's good. She's in a good place. I think about her a lot.

About Drop

Meghann Fahy holding a phone in Drop poster

Emmy nominee Meghann Fahy, the breakout star of The White Lotus and The Perfect Couple, plays Violet, a widowed mother on her first date in years, who arrives at an upscale restaurant where she is relieved that her date, Henry (Brandon Sklenar), is more charming and handsome than she expected. But their chemistry begins to curdle as Violet begins being irritated and then terrorized by a series of anonymous drops to her phone.

She is instructed to tell nobody and follow instructions, or the hooded figure she sees on her home security cameras will kill Violet’s young son and babysitting sister. Violet must do exactly as directed, or everyone she loves will die. Her unseen tormentor’s final directive? Kill Henry.

Source: Screen Rant Plus

A widowed mother's first date in years takes a terrifying turn when she's bombarded with anonymous threatening messages on her phone during their upscale dinner, leaving her questioning if her charming date is behind the harassment.

Director Christopher Landon

Release Date April 11, 2025

Studio(s) Blumhouse Productions , Platinum Dunes

Writers Jillian Jacobs , Christopher Roach

Cast Brandon Sklenar , Violett Beane , Meghann Fahy , Ed Weeks , Fiona Browne , Jeffery Self , Gabrielle Ryan

Runtime 0 Minutes

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