The 2025 thriller Drop, directed by Christopher Landon, has captivated audiences with its intense storyline and gripping suspense. For film enthusiasts and location scouts, understanding the Drop filming locations offers a fascinating glimpse into how this Chicago-set mystery was brought to life. At NetFilming, we dive into the key places where this movie was shot, revealing how Ireland’s landscapes and studios shaped its chilling atmosphere. Here’s everything you need to know about the filming locations of Drop, from the upscale restaurant Palate to urban exteriors.
What Is Drop About?
Drop (2025) is a gripping American mystery thriller directed by Christopher Landon, set in Chicago. The film follows Violet Gates (Meghann Fahy), a widowed therapist and single mother, who ventures on her first date in years with photographer Henry Campbell (Brandon Sklenar) at the upscale restaurant Palate. What begins as a promising evening turns sinister when Violet receives anonymous AirDrop messages threatening her son Tobias and sister Jen unless she complies with a blackmailer’s chilling demands.
Trapped in the crowded restaurant, Violet must navigate a high-stakes game to protect her family while keeping Henry unaware. The film’s intense atmosphere, amplified by its claustrophobic setting, explores themes of isolation and survival. With a runtime of 90 minutes, Drop blends modern technology and Hitchcockian suspense, delivering a thrilling narrative that keeps viewers on edge. Released on April 11, 2025, it has earned $26.1 million worldwide.
Drop Filming Locations
Drop (2025) was filmed in Ireland, primarily at Ardmore Studios in Bray, County Wicklow, where the central restaurant set was built, and in Dublin for exterior shots. The Chicago-set thriller used these locations to create its suspenseful atmosphere. Principal photography began in late April 2024 and wrapped within a few months, relying heavily on Ireland’s versatile filming infrastructure. Despite the Chicago setting, Ireland’s urban and studio environments seamlessly stood in for the American city, with a few clever tweaks to maintain authenticity.
Ardmore Studios
The centerpiece of Drop is Palate, the upscale restaurant where much of the film’s drama unfolds. This 14,000-square-foot set was meticulously constructed at Ardmore Studios in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, located at Herbert Road, Killarney. As Ireland’s oldest filming studio, Ardmore provided the perfect soundstage to bring Palate to life, ensuring every detail reflected the restaurant’s luxurious yet claustrophobic vibe.
Production designer Susie Cullen played a pivotal role in designing Palate, aiming for a space that felt both sophisticated and menacing. She explained, “The restaurant needed to be elegant but carry an undercurrent of danger, shifting from a place of comfort to a trap.” The set’s design, described as a “gilded cage” by director Christopher Landon, used elements like gold bars and large windows to symbolize Violet’s isolation amidst a crowded dining room. These thoughtful touches made the restaurant a character in itself, amplifying the film’s suspense.
Landon and his team also focused on continuity, mapping out a timeline for Palate’s scenes to ensure seamless storytelling. Real food, authentic extras, and a functional kitchen added realism, immersing viewers in Violet’s high-stakes predicament. Ardmore Studios’ ability to host such an ambitious set underscores why it remains a go-to for major productions, offering filmmakers the flexibility to craft intricate worlds.
Dublin
Beyond the studio, Dublin, Ireland’s vibrant capital, served as a key filming location for exterior shots. The production team filmed around the Convention Centre at Spencer Dock, North Wall Quay, which doubled as the exterior of the high-rise Palate restaurant. Visual effects likely enhanced these scenes to align with Chicago’s skyline, but Dublin’s modern architecture provided a convincing backdrop.
Dublin is renowned for its historic landmarks, like St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Dublin Castle, but Drop showcases the city’s contemporary side. The sleek, upscale aesthetic of the filmed areas mirrors Chicago’s affluent neighborhoods, creating a believable setting for the film’s narrative. However, eagle-eyed viewers might spot a filming goof: the Samuel Beckett Bridge, a Dublin icon, accidentally appears in an establishing shot meant to depict Chicago, as noted on IMDb.
Dublin’s versatility as a filming location isn’t new. The city has hosted productions like Moonflower Murders and Wisting, thanks to its blend of historic charm and modern infrastructure. For Drop, its urban settings added depth to the film’s exterior scenes, capturing the scale and intensity of Violet’s world.
Bray
The town of Bray, located near Dublin in County Wicklow, also contributed to the Drop filming locations. Close to Ardmore Studios, Bray provided additional filming opportunities, likely for secondary exteriors or logistical support. Its proximity to Dublin made it a practical choice for the production team, allowing easy access to both urban and studio environments.
Bray’s role in Drop highlights Ireland’s interconnected filming ecosystem, where towns like Bray complement major hubs like Dublin and Ardmore. This synergy has made Ireland a favorite for filmmakers seeking diverse settings and top-tier facilities.
Drop Behind the Scenes
The making of Drop (2025) was a creative endeavor that blended meticulous planning with innovative set design to deliver its gripping thriller narrative. Filming primarily in Ireland’s Ardmore Studios and Dublin, the production team transformed these locations into a tense Chicago setting. Director Christopher Landon, known for Happy Death Day, described the restaurant set, Palate, as a “gilded cage,” emphasizing its role in mirroring Violet’s emotional entrapment. “The gold bars reaching up and around people were designed to show her isolation, even in a crowded space,” Landon shared in an interview.
Production designer Susie Cullen added, “We aimed for sophistication with a subtle menace, making the restaurant feel like a trap.” The 14,000-square-foot soundstage set at Ardmore was a marvel, featuring real food and extras to enhance authenticity. Principal photography, starting in April 2024, leveraged Ireland’s skilled crews and tax incentives, ensuring a seamless process. This behind-the-scenes effort highlights how Drop’s locations and design amplified its suspenseful storytelling.
Drop Official Trailer
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