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Thriller

Drone (2017): Cast, Ratings, Plot & Where to Watch

Drone (2017) movie poster

Drone is a 2017 thriller directed by Jason Bourque, starring Sean Bean, Bradley Stryker and Patrick Sabongui. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes and was made on a reported $4 million budget. Critics gave it 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10. Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
5.4/10
Echo Score
63
Metascore
49
budget
$4M
Drone (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Director
Jason Bourque
Genre
Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$4M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Drone About?

The premise of Drone without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Neil, a private drone contractor, leads a clandestine existence, undertaking covert missions while concealing his profession from his family. When a whistleblower reveals his activities, a dangerous Pakistani businessman initiates a relentless pursuit. Forced to confront his past, Neil finds himself in a heart-stopping chase where the boundaries between truth and illusion blur, leading to a perilous showdown.

Drone Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • information leak
  • deception
  • drone attack
  • drone pilot
  • reston virginia
  • islamophobia
  • extramarital affair
  • affair exposed
  • sniper
  • father son relationship
  • one word title
  • family relationships
+38 more
  • grandfather
  • grandfather grandson relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • family home
  • home invasion
  • briefcase
  • being followed
  • yacht
  • cheating wife
  • adultery
  • teenage boy
  • teenage son
  • playing a video game
  • baseball
  • playground
  • asian
  • pakistan
  • suburb
  • broken windshield
  • secret life
  • secret identity
  • revenge
  • stabbing
  • stabbed in the stomach
  • knife
  • dinner table
  • family dinner
  • loss of family
  • explosion
  • drone strike
  • contractor
  • military contractor
  • defense contractor
  • innocent victim
  • innocent bystander
  • drinking beer
  • muslim
  • cell phone
Where to watch

Where to Watch Drone

Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Drone Cast

Sean Bean leads the cast, with Bradley Stryker and Patrick Sabongui. Directed by Jason Bourque; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Drone Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Drone 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

63 /100

Drone Echo Score Breakdown

The film achieves strong visual and auditory design but struggles with narrative coherence and pacing, leading to mixed engagement. Direction and cinematography often impress with dynamic aerial framing and thoughtful production design, and the score underpins dramatic moments effectively. However, an uneven plot and inconsistent character development limit its emotional resonance. The final engagement is thought-provoking but uneven, combining commendable production values with a storyline that may not sustain repeated viewings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, the film frequently excels with disciplined framing and deliberate production design that highlight contrasting settings. The direction maintains visual interest through clever mirror uses and aerial shots, and editing converges well with measured pacing in key sequences. Overall, the visual presentation remains a consistent strength.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances by the leads deliver nuanced tension but supporting roles vary in depth. The protagonist’s restrained portrayal conveys inner conflict effectively, yet secondary characters occasionally feel underwritten. Emotional beats are present but the film’s focus on moral questions sometimes inhibits deeper relational chemistry. Overall, character engagement is moderate.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative offers clear thematic intentions but unfolds with uneven pacing and limited complexity. Ethical dilemmas are introduced thoughtfully, yet plot developments feel predictable and occasionally implausible. Measured suspense sustains interest intermittently, but inconsistent momentum and straightforward resolutions diminish overall engagement. The storyline remains functional but lacks sustained narrative depth.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film’s soundtrack and sound design effectively underscore dramatic tension with subtle atmospheric cues. Visual style exhibits cohesion through consistent color palettes and dynamic aerial perspectives. Audio mixing integrates environmental sounds to reinforce thematic contrasts. Overall, sensory elements enhance immersion and contribute significantly to the film’s atmospheric tension.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film offers thematic insights that may engage thoughtful viewers on repeated viewings, particularly its moral reflections. However, its deliberate pacing and straightforward plot may limit appeal for broader audiences seeking dynamic thrills. The dense focus on ethical questions might reward analysis but may not compel multiple viewings for casual viewers.

Plot

Drone Plot Summary

What happens in Drone from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In March 2016, a drone strike in Pakistan targets a specific objective, but the operation also claims innocent lives, underscoring the collateral damage that shadows such missions. A year later, on the anniversary of that strike, Imir Shaw appears at the home of Neil Wistin, a contract drone operator for the CIA. The visit unfolds against a backdrop of personal loss for both men: Wistin and his family are grappling with the death of his father, a blow that has left him writing a difficult eulogy, while Shaw’s own presence is wrapped in grief and secrets.

Full summary

The whole story of Drone, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Drone Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Drone Trailer #1 (2017) | Movieclips Indie
  • Trailer DRONE - English trailer - Soon in Quebec
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Drone?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In which year does the opening drone strike that triggers the film's events take place?

Cars

Cars in Drone

20 cars on screen, including the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan and the Volkswagen Golf VII Typ 5G.

All 20 cars
  • 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan in Drone 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan Main role
  • Volkswagen Golf VII Typ 5G in Drone Volkswagen Golf VII Typ 5G Important role
  • BMW X5 E70 in Drone BMW X5 E70 Minor role
  • 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV in Drone 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV Minor role
Details

Drone Also Known As

10 alternative titles, including “Incursion” and “Drones”.

Also known as
  • Incursion
  • Drones
  • Дрон
  • 无人机
  • 드론 컨트롤러
  • Drón
  • Drone - Tödliche Mission
  • בני ערובה במילכוד
  • Dronas
  • ドローン・オブ・クライム

Seen Drone?

FAQ

Drone FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of Drone, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Drone?

Drone runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).

When was Drone released?

Drone was released on May 26, 2017.

Who directed Drone?

Drone was directed by Jason Bourque.

More films by Jason Bourque

Who is in the cast of Drone?

Drone stars Sean Bean, Bradley Stryker and Patrick Sabongui, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch Drone?

In the US, Drone is streaming on Amazon MX Player, Amazon Prime Video and Fawesome and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

What was the budget of Drone?

Drone had a reported budget of $4 million.

How is Drone rated?

Drone has 5.4/10 on IMDb, 49 on Metacritic, 53% on TMDB and 2.7/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Drone have a post-credit scene?

No. Drone has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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