"The Drama"doesn't just spill the proverbial tea, it drops a nuclear truth bomb.
Robert PattinsonandZendayaplay lovers confronted with quite the dealbreaker in the film written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli ("Dream Scenario"). "The Drama" (★★★ out of four; rated R; in theaters April 3) is a moral thought experiment conducted amid a disaster-filled deconstruction of the romantic comedy. And given the plot's somewhat jaw-dropping twist, it's also one of the boldest, brashest movies in some time.
Wedding week is going pretty OK for Boston couple Charlie (Pattinson) and Emma (Zendaya). They're stressing a little about their individual speeches and looking back on their awkward meet-cute, inopportune first kiss and various personal quirks. They meet up with their married friends Mike (Mamoudou Athie) and Rachel (Alana Haim) for a taste tasting of their reception vittles and a drunken airing of the worst thing each of them has ever done.
Charlie, Rachel and Mike's confessions range between youthfully jerky to downright repugnant. But then Emma tells hers and, hoo, boy, it's a doozy. She wins in a walk-off with something that floors everyone.
Without saying too much, Borgli pushes an extremely hot button – nay, smashes the thing – and it alters the entire movie. Rachel is instantly against her in every way. Charlie is at a loss, and in the next few days he lets it take over his entire psychological being. And Emma herself has work through some old feelings while also navigating a rocky path to their big day that has an implosive effect for those around them.
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Both leads turn in strong performances. Zendaya's is the more quietly powerful of the two, juggling the heavy emotions of a wedding with her world quickly falling apart around her. Meanwhile, Pattinson is like a manic roller coaster on screen, increasingly off the rails as the weight of Emma's reveal has Charlie questioning everything and reacting badly to the situation. Then there's Haim, so full of venom and vitriol, who depending on one's perspective is low-key the hero or villain of the film.
When not giddily tearing apart the rom-com – a key conversation between Charlie and Emma happens in the trope-iest of cinematic eateries, a diner – Borgli asks really major thematic questions with his controversial subject matter. Do we judge everybody, even loved ones, by the worst thing they've ever done? Are thoughts always the same as actions? And is forgiveness or redemption ever off the table?
Zendaya and Robert Pattinson attend the Los Angeles premiere of A24's "The Drama" at DGA Theater Complex on March 17, 2026, in Los Angeles.The romantic comedy, written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli, tells the story of a "happily engaged couple," whose union is "put to the test when an unexpected revelation sends their wedding week off the rails," according to the film's IMDb page." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Zendaya rewears her 2015 white Vivienne Westwood Oscars gown to the 2026 premiere, according to Variety." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Mamoudou Athie, Robert Pattinson, Kristoffer Borgli, Zendaya, Alana Haim, Jordyn Curet, Zoë Winters, and Sydney Lemmon" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Alana Haim " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Maura Higgins" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Salem Mitchell " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jordyn Curet" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kehlani" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Cazzie David" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Coco Jones" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Rico Nasty" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Tove Lo" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kate Berlant" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Caroline Polachek" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Georgia Geraldine Dane, Rebecca Gayheart, and Billie Beatrice Dane" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chris Perfetti " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Miguel Harichi and Leah Kateb" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Madelaine Petsch" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Robert Pattinson" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Zendaya" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> See Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Kehlani, more at 'The Drama' premiere
ZendayaandRobert Pattinsonattend the Los Angelespremiere of A24's "The Drama"at DGA Theater Complex on March 17, 2026, in Los Angeles.Theromantic comedy, written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli, tells the story of a "happily engaged couple," whose union is "put to the test when an unexpected revelation sends their wedding week off the rails," according to the film'sIMDb page.
Borgli tackles all of it with nuance as well as satirical edge. The humor spawned by Emma's confession will strike some as deeply unfunny, while others might uncomfortably chuckle at its cleverness. "The Drama" is tailor-made to strike up important discussions afterward, yet given the issue at its core, a good amount of backlash will likely come from those who can't and won't intellectually engage with the movie. That's not the film's problem, it's just the way things are.
Armed with complex characters and a brazen resolve, "The Drama" doesn't dole out easy answers – Borgli seems to respect the audience too much for that. Instead, amid wedding chaos and a comedy of errors, his movie makes the point that we're all capable of thinking or doing terrible things but also worthy of grace when needed.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'The Drama' review – Robert Pattinson, Zendaya court controversy
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