The Drama Movie Review: ‘The Drama hasn’t even hit cinemas yet, and it’s already received a ton of backlash. After watching it, here’s why I think you should still go see it’
OPINION – For months, people around the world have been patiently waiting for The Drama to hit cinemas.
The new A24 flick, starring A-listers Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, had a marketing campaign for the ages that reeled fans in from the very beginning.
But just days before it’s hit cinemas, the film has been shrouded in controversy.
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I was lucky enough to see the film at an advanced screening, and I have some thoughts.
Before we dive in, let me just clarify that I will not be spoiling the film for anyone; you’ll have to see it for yourselves.
And despite the controversy, I recommend you do.
Writer and director Kristoffer Borgli has created a story that is unconventional and completely original.
During a press conference alongside Zendaya and Borgli, Pattinson said that the uniqueness of the script is what prompted him to sign on, explaining that it “felt like a very, very original piece” and something “incredibly unexpected”.
Pattinson also said that the script pressed his buttons, adding that he can only “hope it will press an audience’s buttons as well”.
And after watching it, I definitely think it will.
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As much as I enjoyed this film, I completely understand where the backlash is coming from. And with it not even in cinemas yet, I don’t think we’ve even scratched the surface of the controversy.
The issue around the film stems from its handling of a delicate subject matter.
While some would say it’s handled poorly, I would say that the way in which the film discusses the subject is confronting, to say the least.
Given the current climate in the US, The Drama may hit a little too close to home for some.
While the film has been marketed as a romantic comedy, A24 hasn’t shied away from the fact that there is a tonal shift partway through the film.
The studio came under fire for its misrepresentation of The Materialists as a rom-com back in June 2025, and it seems they’ve only partly learnt from their mistakes.
On the generous end, The Drama is a dark rom-com, but if I had to pick a genre (which is an incredibly difficult task when referring to this film), I would say it’s an offbeat drama with some dark comedic elements.
It’s hard to nail down such a complex and stressful narrative without addressing the pivotal plot point, but the easiest way to describe The Drama is by saying it’s an absolute trainwreck of a film in the best way possible.
During the press conference, Borgli said that the idea for the film came from “life” and the fact that he wanted to explore love, identity and “cultural differences”.
“As a person not from the US who has found a new life in the US, I have dealt with big and small ways that just everyday life is a little bit different,” he said.
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“All of these things ruminate in your head for a while until something comes out. And I feel like ideas are kind of like love, as we talked about.
“You don’t really choose who you fall in love with. This was just something that I fell deeply in love with and had to do.”
At times, the viewing experience is squirrelly and uncomfortable, and you want to look away in disgust. Then, you find yourself laughing in moments and feeling immediately ashamed afterward.
But the thing about The Drama is that you simply cannot look away.
The story is twisted and dark, with a score by Daniel Pemberton that has you sitting on the edge of your seat and constantly needing to remind yourself to take deep breaths.
If it sounds like I didn’t enjoy the film, let me just clarify that it’s quite the opposite. I’ll be recommending The Drama to everyone I know, but if you’re after an easy watch to help you escape reality for a little bit, this is not it.
The Drama is the kind of movie you want to book to see with friends at 6pm on a Friday, so that you have plenty of time afterward to crack open a bottle of wine and dissect your thoughts for several hours.
It explores radical acceptance and the limits of love, debating when and if your morals ever do, or should, outweigh your heart.
The film forces the audience to examine their own empathy and where they draw the line when it comes to people who may have done or even just considered the worst imaginable things.
Pattinson said that the part of the story he found the most interesting was the fact that it explores the subjectivity of morality.
“Your personal morality is different from your group morality,” he said.
“And I think few people want to really admit that, but I think that it’s more true than we like to admit.”
Of course, the major drawcard for this film is the cast. When A24 studio heads look at the poster with Robert Pattinson and Zendaya’s names plastered across the top, I can only imagine they simply see dollar signs.
There’s a part of me waiting anxiously for the film to be released to the world, nervous about how severe the backlash could get and the impact it could have on two actors I love.
But the bigger part of me is focused on their performances.
It’s easy to see why this duo is cast in three films together this year; their chemistry is believable for every second. It never feels dull or forced.
Zendaya stars as Emma, saying during the press conference that when reading the script, she found herself uncovering a “fragility” in her character.
“There’s like a permanent or perpetual little girl in her that just really is seeking to be loved and accepted,” she said.
“And trying to balance that with also being a grown woman who has a life and is getting married, and kind of seeing that crack and starting to see that very innocent, vulnerable, childlike thing come out of her.”
Even though Zendaya nails the awkward ambiguity of her character, it’s Pattinson whose the standout.
He delivers a flawlessly neurotic performance as a man questioning everything about his world just a few days before the most important day in his life thus far.
If you’re a fan of an unpredictable film with two nuanced lead performances, I recommend you go see The Drama.
Honestly, I recommend that anyone after an unquestionably entertaining hour and 45 minutes go see it.
Just don’t go in expecting a light-hearted rom-com in the style of the late ’90s; that is not what this film is.
The last thing I’ll say is that I highly recommend you get to the cinema to see this one as soon as you can.
I have a feeling that spoilers are going to be rife for this one, potentially even unavoidable. And it just won’t be the same if you know what’s coming next.
The best part of this film is the unexpected, and I’ll leave it at that.
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