The movie is set in a Brooklyn bar that serves as a money “drop” for local gangsters. Bob Saginowski (Tom Hardy) tends the bar, which is run by his cousin Marv (James Gandolfini). Marv used to own the bar until it was taken over by Chechen mobsters. The bar is now used as a drop location for illegal funds.
One night, Bob finds a wounded pit bull puppy in a trash can and takes it in. He forms a bond with the dog and gets help from Nadia (Noomi Rapace), a woman he meets in his neighborhood. As Bob and Nadia take care of the dog, they become involved in a local crime when Eric Deeds (Matthias Schoenaerts), the dog’s original owner, demands the dog back.
Meanwhile, Marv hatches a plan to rob the bar during one of the drops. The Chechen mobsters catch wind of the plan, leading to a tense confrontation. In a surprising turn of events, Bob reveals that he was aware of the robbery plan and orchestrated it with the Chechens to expose Marv’s betrayal.
As tensions escalate, Bob and Nadia find themselves in danger from both sides. In the climactic scene, Bob confronts Eric Deeds and reveals that he was the one who set up the robbery and manipulated events to ensure the truth would come out.
In the end, Bob makes a deal with the Chechens to resolve the conflict peacefully. However, it’s implied that Bob has a darker and more complex past than initially revealed. The film ends with Bob and Nadia walking away, leaving the bar behind.
“The Drop” received positive reviews for its atmospheric tension, strong performances, and Lehane’s intricate storytelling. The film is notable for being one of James Gandolfini’s final film roles before his death.