The Drama Review: the controversial A24 movie will be divisive
PLOT: A couple (Robert Pattinson and Zendaya) on the verge of getting married fall into a major crisis when she reveals a dark secret from her past.
REVIEW: While many would agree that honesty is the best policy in any scenario, others would say there are certain things you should take to your grave. The Drama is a good example of the latter, with it a dark comedy-drama about what happens when one partner confesses something to the other that’s hard to comprehend.
Such a thing happens here when, during a drunken pre-wedding dinner, the soon-to-be-marrieds and their best man (Mamoudou Athie) and maid of honour (Alana Haim) play a deeply misguided game where they all talk about “the worst thing they’ve ever done.” All of them confess something pretty terrible, but Zendaya’s Emma casually reveals something so dark that—even before the film gets out into the world—it has launched a thousand think pieces.
For the record, I’m not going to reveal her secret—even though it happens early in the movie and will likely be mentioned in most reviews. On the off chance that this is the only review you read, you shouldn’t have the experience wrecked. Suffice it to say, though, she reveals something hugely messed up, and it leads to Robert Pattinson’s Charlie going to pieces, first somewhat comically but then more darkly as the film goes on.
The Drama is directed by Dream Scenario’s Kristoffer Borgli, whose defining characteristic is his willingness to provoke. Just by casting the much-beloved Zendaya is itself provocative, as, considering the nature of her role, the typical Hollywood thing would have been for her and Pattinson to switch parts. Borgli doesn’t give the audience that kind of easy out, as the fact that she’s so pretty and charming is what makes her part have so much of a kick.
When we meet them, Emma and Charlie seem like your typical young, sexy Hollywood couple. They are both impossibly good-looking and live a charmed life. He has a dream job as a museum curator, earning a big enough salary that he’s able to afford their luxurious wedding. They get along great, have awesome sex, and seem to be heading towards a wonderful life together. But when the secret is revealed, it puts them to the test in a way neither could have seen coming.
Of the two, Zendaya probably has a somewhat smaller part, as Borgli, for much of the film, uses her in a way that trades off her fame and how much of an aspirational figure she is to some. What would happen if this person everyone thinks is perfect reveals something truly unhinged from their past? Much of the movie revolves around Pattinson as he comes apart at the seams, not knowing how to process what he’s heard or how to reconcile it with the person he still loves.
Interestingly, I’m probably making The Drama sound heavier than it actually is. Despite how messed up her secret is, the movie is essentially a comedy, with it being almost Woody Allen-esque in how it deconstructs Pattinson’s nebbish character, who is so used to pseudo-intellectualizing things that when something real happens, he can’t deal with it. It’s a great performance, with him also quite funny at times as he gets more unhinged as the movie goes along—while also never really losing your sympathy.
The film is rounded out by some solid supporting performances, with Alana Haim as Zendaya’s thin-skinned bestie, who is the quickest to take the moral high ground in every situation, even if her own secret reveals a stunning lack of empathy. Athie’s Mike is the more even-handed of the pair, although he constantly allows himself to be steamrolled by his wife, while never really going to bat for his own feelings.
Borgli keeps the movie tightly paced, with a lot of juicy set pieces that escalate in chaos as the movie goes on. While I liked Dream Scenario, I found The Drama to be a step up, as I empathized more with the characters than I would have thought. In that way, it’s very much like a European film, with him bringing that sensibility to this A24 flick.
It’ll be interesting to see if The Drama resonates with viewers, but it’s kind of hilarious A24 is putting it out on Easter weekend as counterprogramming to Super Mario Galaxy. I can picture a lot of couples going to see this on the strength of the cast alone and being provoked into much darker, more uncomfortable conversations walking out of this than they would have otherwise. If you’re thinking of this as a date movie, make sure you and your partner are very open-minded and not averse to broaching uncomfortable topics.
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