‘The Drama’ Review: A Relationship Drama With A Lot To Say

The Drama is the third film of Kristoffer Borgli. Best known for conversation starting comedies, his new film fits perfectly into his filmography, while also managing to be the most palatable to a wider audience. The film follows Emma and Charlie, played by Zendaya and Robert Pattinson respectively, on the days leading up to their wedding. During a drunken wedding tasting, the two and their close couple friends play a game where they reveal the worst thing they have ever done. What follows is a darkly comedic breakdown, where the couple must decide how much to share, how much they want to know, and whether the information changes how they feel about each other. The Drama is an initially shocking film that turns into an interesting dissection of what it means to love someone and the things that we are willing to ignore. Read our full review for The Drama below. 

This review contains spoilers for The Drama. 

The most surprising aspect of The Drama is how funny it is. I was laughing out loud a lot during this movie. Now some of that laughter was of the nervous, uncomfortable kind, because this film does get dark quick. Around twenty-five minutes into the film it is revealed that Emma had planned a school shooting when she was in high school that she did not go through with. This is a startling moment that justifiably leaves the other people at the table confused, angry, or in denial. Her partner Charlie is affected most by this revelation, now questioning if he even knows Emma at all. The film really delves into how in relationships we can think we know someone or know a certain version of them, but then something will happen or their past will come up and now you feel like you don’t know them anymore. Do past actions change who the person you know now is? It was such an interesting concept that Borgli handled with ease. 

This school shooting reveal is not used for shock value, it is used to service the story and actually say something. It would be very easy for this concept to feel cheap or exploitative, but since there is actual thought being put into every aspect of the film, it works. To me, Emma was not meant to be seen as unforgivable, instead she is proof that people can change. When you are young and lonely, you can make dark mistakes. She ends up not doing it first because another shooting occurs and second because she finally starts getting welcomed in by her peers. Charlie did not even really know Emma before he learned this. In the opening he is writing his wedding speech, and he gives these vague, stereotypical examples of why he loves her. The Drama has something really interesting to say about actually knowing someone and the ability to actually reform even when it comes to a relationship after hardship. 

The Drama’s reflection on media and aesthetics was also fascinating. Emma claims that she got the idea because it was an online aesthetic and trend. Especially in America we see this romanticization of guns all around us. It was an interesting way of looking at why someone would think to do something as unforgivable as a school shooting. My only critique is that I think the film could have gone harder on this. At some point it felt like the screenwriter decided he had given enough of an explanation of why she did this so he moved on to how it affected Charlie. Zendaya’s character was just incredibly intriguing as this sort of dual person with such a clear divide between who they are and who they used to be. Emma deserved more time in the film, rather than just being a catalyst for Charlie’s story at points. 

Speaking of Charlie and Emma, Robert Pattinson and Zendaya are giving truly excellent performances. Especially Robert Pattinson, since he is the clear lead, he is given so much to work with. He owns every moment, is extremely funny, and brings a grounded charm that carries the film. If you are still doubting Pattinson as a strong leading man and one of the greatest actors of his time, you need to switch sides as soon as possible, because he continues to prove himself more and more every year. Zendaya is also really great in The Drama. Like I said she is not given as much screentime and characterization as I wanted and assumed she would get, but she does a lot with what she is given. The two own each role, making them highlights in both of their careers. The supporting characters, Alana Haim and Mamoudou Athie, are also really strong. Specifically Alana Haim, who stands out as a humorous, yet extremely annoying force throughout the entire film.

In summation, I was really happy with The Drama. It was entertaining through the whole runtime and gave me a lot to sink my teeth into after the credits roll. It had some beautiful, almost Lynchian, surrealist imagery trickled throughout as well. Along with that it was shot very well. There is really not a lot to hate about The Drama, my only gripe is that it should have taken it further. It gave me so much to think about and it clearly had things to say, so sue me for wanting even more. I fully recommend that you go see The Drama as soon as possible with as little knowledge about it before as you can. 

The Drama was written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli and stars Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Alana Haim, Mamoudou Athie, and Hailey Gates. The film was released on April 3.

Thanks for reading this, The Drama Review. For more, stay tuned here at Feature First.