7 Mystery-Thrillers Like 'Drop' You Need To See

In the latest mystery-thriller by Christopher Landon (known for “Happy Death Day”), titled “Drop“, the plot is skillfully developed around the protagonist, Violet, portrayed by Meghann Fahy. After overcoming a harrowing past, Violet is eager to reenter the dating world. However, her date with Henry (Brandon Skelnar) takes an unexpected and horrifying turn when a shadowy group exploits Violet’s son as a means to coerce her into committing the unimaginable – murdering the very man she hoped to spend an enjoyable evening with.

In many ways, the film “Drop” mirrors other outstanding mystery-thrillers by employing classic B-movie tropes. The narrative is set in a single location and follows a suspenseful cat-and-mouse game of imprisonment, manipulation, and deceit. There are numerous homebound movies that offer the same nail-biting excitement as “Drop“.

If you prefer to read up on them prior to watching the movie or continue the excitement after it ends, here’s a list of 7 captivating mystery-thrillers that you might enjoy, similar to Drop.

Carry-On

In the mystery-thriller “Carry-On,” which was released last year by Netflix, Taron Egerton takes center stage. Veteran B-movie director Jaume Collet-Serra (known for films like “Orphan” and “The Shallows”) is at the helm. The story follows Egerton as a TSA agent who’s going through a rough patch, but things heat up when a terrorist, portrayed convincingly by Jason Bateman, threatens to harm his girlfriend unless a suspicious package is allowed through security. As the agent realizes that the package could cause widespread destruction, he finds himself in a precarious situation, needing to act swiftly to protect not just innocent lives, but also the woman he cares for. This film bears a strong resemblance to “Drop” and can be streamed on Netflix now.

Trap

In the gripping thriller, “Trap” (2024), directed by M. Night Shyamalan, Josh Hartnett portrays Cooper, a father taking his daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue) to see her beloved pop star, Lady Raven (Saleka Shyamalan). However, this seemingly ordinary outing conceals two shocking revelations: Cooper is actually the infamous serial killer called “The Butcher,” and the concert turns out to be a meticulously designed trap set by law enforcement. They are aware that The Butcher is present in the building, although they remain unaware of his true identity. “Trap” offers a fresh perspective on the confined-setting thriller genre similar to “Drop,” despite certain aspects of its premise straining credulity.

Speed

Speed, an original masterpiece in the realm of fast-paced thrillers with a hint of romantic comedy elements, stands out as a timeless classic. It’s a movie that significantly boosted Keanu Reeves’ career as an action hero, preceding both The Matrix Trilogy and John Wick. The electrifying chemistry between Reeves and Sandra Bullock in their first encounter seems to have laid the foundation for many romantic encounters depicted in films since. Despite being slightly old-fashioned, with payphones playing a significant role, the plot’s high-concept of a bus that cannot stop without exploding remains intriguing and engaging. You can stream Speed on Hulu, Max, or Sling TV.

Panic Room

In a nod to David Fincher’s extensive filmography, the movie “Panic Room” (2002) bears the strongest resemblance to his latest release, “Drop.” Starring Jodie Foster as a wealthy NYC divorcee and her daughter, played by a young Kristen Stewart, this thriller unfolds when they discover hidden valuables in their new brownstone home. The late former owner’s treacherous house servant (Jared Leto) gathers a group of crooks, including Forest Whitaker as a hesitant safe-cracker, to steal these valuables. Unbeknownst to the thieves, Foster and her daughter are already in the house and lock themselves in a fortified “panic room.” The film then escalates into a tense game of cat-and-mouse as both sides try to manipulate each other into surrendering… or something more dangerous. You can watch “Panic Room” on MGM+ and Amazon Prime Video.

Missing

2023’s film, “Missing”, while being a spinoff/sequel of “Searching”, can be enjoyed independently as its main focus lies in its innovative concept rather than requiring knowledge of the previous film. The title “Missing” reflects the central theme of technology, specifically laptop use and smartphone messaging, in the storyline. In this movie, a teenage girl named June (Storm Reid) embarks on a search and rescue mission via her laptop after her mother (Nia Long) mysteriously disappears. As June delves deeper into her mom’s digital footprint, she uncovers secrets about her mother’s life that challenge her preconceived notions.

“Missing” excels in the ‘webcam thriller’ genre, comparable to films like “Searching” and “Unfriended”. This is primarily due to the captivating performance of Storm Reid, who, much like Meghann Fahy in “Drop”, single-handedly drives the narrative from start to finish. “Missing” can be streamed on Hulu-Disney+ and Sling TV.

Blink Twice

Zoe Kravitz hasn’t achieved great fame as a filmmaker just yet, but she’s definitely making a strong debut. The movie “Blink Twice” carries similar undertones to “Drop”, with both stories using metaphors about the challenges and struggles women face. Unlike “Drop”, “Blink Twice” delves deeper into the mystery aspect, gradually unveiling its horrifying truth over time. It’s worth noting that there are some contemporary connections between Channing Tatum’s character, a wealthy tech mogul with his own private island, and the group of girls he invites for questionable reasons. The cast, featuring Naomi Ackie, Alia Shawkat, Christian Slater, Adria Arjona, Haley Joel Osment, Geena Davis, and Kyle Maclachlan, delivers strong performances together. You can stream “Blink Twice” on MGM+, Amazon Prime Video, or Roku.

Heretic

Consider the term “Heretic” as analogous to the film “Drop,” but with a religious and philosophical slant. Two Mormon girls performing missionary work (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East from “Yellowjackets”) stumble upon the home of an alluring character named “Mr. Reed” (portrayed by Hugh Grant). Their initial conversation about faith with Reed soon escalates into a spirited debate, which then transforms into a chilling game of religious persecution orchestrated by a malevolent individual claiming to be the prophet of the “one true religion.” Similar to “Drop,” “Heretic” leads its female protagonists from an ordinary social interaction to a harrowing hostage predicament. However, unlike “Drop,” directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (co-writers of “A Quiet Place”) maintain control over this psychological descent, offering viewers more than just a thriller set in a single location: they provide a single-conversation thriller that’s more ambitious in scope. You can stream “Heretic” on Max and Hulu (with Max).

Any more great thrillers you want to recommend? Leave them in the comments!

2025-04-11 19:40

7 Mystery-Thrillers Like ‘Drop’ You Need To See