Stars: Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Violett Beane, Jacob Robinson, Ed Weeks, Jeffery Self, Gabrielle Ryan, Reed Diamond | Written by Jillian Jacobs, Chris Roach | Directed by Christopher Landon

Director Christopher Landon returns with high-concept suspense thriller Drop, which cleverly combines the anxiety of a first date with the type of unseen assailant threat familiar from films like Phone Booth, Grand Piano and the more recent Carry On. As such, it’s hugely enjoyable, and the sort of movie where the ridiculous contrivance is a big part of the fun.

After a tense prologue, which isn’t explained until later and could either be a flashback or a flash-forward, Drop opens with single mother Violet nervously preparing for a first date, encouraged by her younger sister Jen (Violett Beane), who will be babysitting Violet’s 5 year-old son Toby (Jacob Robinson) for the evening. Already anxious because this is her first date since...