Reviews

On the surface, The Drama looks like a straightforward romantic comedy about a couple preparing for their imminent wedding day. But consider yourself warned: It is not that at all.

This pitch-black comedy-drama, written and directed by Norwegian filmmaker Kristoffer Borgli, stars Robert Pattinson and Zendaya as Charlie and Emma, who are about to get married in a week.

But unfortunately, during a drunken taste-tasting session days before they say “I do”, Charlie, Emma and their best friends Mike (Mamoudou Athie) and Rachel (Alana Haim) decide it’s a good idea to play: “What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?”

As the trailer teases, Emma drops a bombshell that destroys everyone’s image of her and threatens to derail their wedding.

The first-act reveal – which will not be spoiled here – is something you would never, ever predict. It is dark, edgy and shocking and likely to spark many conversations and thinkpieces.

Some people will be outraged by the wild twist and may even walk out, but there will be a large portion who will stick around and see how this subversive and deliberately provocative idea plays out.

Needless to say, Emma’s revelation totally stuns Charlie, Rachel and Mike as it fundamentally changes how they see her as a person.

Charlie is faced with a dilemma and drives himself crazy trying to figure out what to do. He tries to process and rationalise it, assuring himself that Emma is a different person now, but he feels pressured by their friends to call off the wedding and has very little time to make up his own mind.

The Drama, which poses interesting questions and offers no easy answers, is a purposefully uncomfortable watch, culminating in a chaotic wedding that will make you squirm. The unbearably cringe-inducing wedding speeches will have you groaning and grimacing and physically reacting – they are that effective.

Out of the core cast, Zendaya is the most impressive because this is a bold, risky character to embody, and she is involved in some eyebrow-raising imagery. Her performance is also the best; it is nuanced and emotional and complicates how you feel about Emma.

Singer Haim, who made her acting debut with 2021’s Licorice Pizza, also deserves a shout-out for playing such a dominant, self-righteous and aggressively angry person.

The Drama will absolutely not be for everyone – the idea is offbeat, out-there and super dark, and the film itself is a bit messy – but the performances are fantastic, and the story pays off brilliantly in the final act wedding.

In cinemas Friday 3rd April

By Hannah Wales

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