How Christopher Landon Blends Horror and Humor in ‘Drop’ and Teases ‘Happy Death Day 3’

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Christopher Landon skillfully switches his audience between intense fear and hearty amusement. This talent is clearly demonstrated in his recent movie, “Drop,” where Meghann Fahy, formerly of “White Lotus,” plays a single mother who encounters menacing AirDrop messages during her initial date, causing her great distress.

Landon shares that he’s enthusiastic about creating a contemporary Hitchcock film, one where an everyday technology is twisted for sinister purposes. He explains how this ordinary item transforms into something menacing. He believes that people can empathize with the concept of being bullied and victimized by someone who remains unseen,” Landon discusses with EbMaster.

To ensure a balanced blend of drama and humor, the director decided to incorporate his trademark wit, reminiscent of movies such as “Happy Death Day” and “Freaky.” However, he chose to approach it in an innovative manner. The film’s humor is subtly introduced through AirDrop messages that initially appear as harmless teenage pranks, using popular internet memes like the viral “distracted boyfriend” and “swerving car” images. Gaining the rights to these images proved challenging, but the director believed it was essential. He argued that using authentic memes helped establish a connection with the audience, making it easier for them to relate and invest emotionally in the movie.

However, as the messages grew ominous, Landon felt compelled to seek humor from other sources. “I became more deliberate in employing humor to either defuse the audience or offer them a respite from the persistent tension,” he explained. “The movie keeps you in a state of continuous unease, so I realized that a pressure-relief mechanism was essential. And it took the shape of a character.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the hilarious performance of Jeffery Self, who stole the show as the witty waiter in that scene. His sharp, overfamiliar quips (“My horoscope was right!”) added a welcome dose of levity to Fahy’s harrowing date. I remember myself laughing heartily at his self-tape and promptly told casting director Terri Taylor to halt the auditions right then and there.

Actor Brandon Sklenar admits that sometimes Self was too talented for the pair (Sklenar and Fahy) to handle during improvisations. They would laugh uncontrollably whenever he started ad-libbing because each time, his improvisation was different yet brilliant. Sklenar describes, “Meghann and I were behind the camera, helpless with laughter, as every time he entered, he brought a new improv, and they all worked flawlessly.” Sklenar further adds, “He’s the secret ingredient in this movie.

The creation of ‘Drop’ was heavily influenced by some of Landon’s favorite films. Growing up, he was fed a steady diet of horror, frequently watching horror movies with his family. He was exposed to titles like ‘Evil Dead 2’ at a young age, as well as more obscure choices such as ‘Street Trash.’ Additionally, he had a good amount of ‘Monty Python’ and films like ‘Ruthless People’ and ‘A Fish Called Wanda’ in his viewing rotation.”

Or, in a more conversational tone:

“Landon’s love for ‘Drop’ can be traced back to the movies he grew up watching. Horror films were a staple in his household growing up, with titles like ‘Evil Dead 2’ and more obscure ones such as ‘Street Trash’ being regular viewing. There was also a good dose of ‘Monty Python,’ and movies like ‘Ruthless People’ and ‘A Fish Called Wanda.’

He’s long harbored a wish to merge his two preferred film genres, but didn’t see enough demand in Hollywood. However, the release of “Happy Death Day” in 2017 changed that. As Landon explains, “Most viewers found it quite amusing.” This movie served as a catalyst, making the path a bit smoother for horror-comedy films, since it was financially successful.

After releasing “Happy Death Day 2U” as a sequel to the film in 2019, there hasn’t been much talk about another installment until now. However, it appears that the final part of the trilogy is now progressing with director Landon and lead actor Rothe confirming the development.

Landon expresses optimism about the future of the franchise, despite no significant advancements in development at present. He explains that they’ve managed to reopen the door for discussions with all parties involved and are eager to gain enough momentum to produce the third movie. This idea has been on his mind for a while, and it still holds the same weight. Essentially, he’s working on solving some remaining issues before moving forward. He cautiously hopes that this isn’t just a premature attempt, but can’t guarantee anything at this stage.

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2025-04-11 20:17