In the realm of romantic partnerships, discovering someone who embraces your flaws is a true rarity. “The Drama” explores this theme, albeit in a rather extreme context, and achieves mixed results. While wedding comedies often depict chaos, this film takes a unique twist that sets it apart from the rest.
The narrative unfolds just a week before Charlie (Robert Pattinson), a curator at a New York art museum, is set to marry Emma (Zendaya), a city librarian. During a night out with their close friends Mike and Rachel (Mamoudou Athie and Alana Haim), who are serving as best man and maid of honor, the conversation turns to the topic of past misdeeds. While the group shares various questionable stories, Emma reveals a harrowing truth from her teenage years in Louisiana: at just 15 years old, she meticulously planned a mass shooting at her high school, even preparing a suicide video and bringing a firearm to school. Only sheer luck prevented her from executing the plan.
Norwegian filmmaker Kristoffer Borgli, known for “Dream Scenario” featuring Nicolas Cage, directs this film, which leans more toward the edgy tone of his previous work, such as the 2022 comedy “Sick of Myself.” In that film, a protagonist faces harsh criticism from a doctor for her morally questionable actions. Here, Borgli navigates the aftermath of Emma’s chilling confession, cleverly referencing Bobcat Goldthwait’s “Sleeping Dogs Lie,” which tackles similar themes. The tension between the engaged couple becomes palpable, affecting everyone around them—from co-workers to the florist and choreographer—who unwittingly exacerbate the situation. A wedding photographer (Zoë Winters) humorously remarks about capturing images of them and their parents, while Emma confronts an aggressive driver, revealing her growing unease.
Compounding their troubles, the couple’s actions do little to alleviate the strain. After being ghosted by Rachel, Emma retaliates by sabotaging Rachel’s work with the library. While Emma’s behavior is alarming, Rachel’s manipulative tendencies may be even more unsettling as she uses Emma’s past as leverage to elevate her own moral standing. Meanwhile, Charlie, a British expatriate, innocently remarks on American gun culture, igniting further discord.
Pattinson shines in his role, delivering a humorous portrayal of a man grappling with severe pre-wedding anxiety. His character finds himself in tears while attempting to fire the wedding DJ (Sydney Lemmon) over alleged drug use, and his emotional turmoil resurfaces during his wedding speech, which he obsessively rewrites until the moment overwhelms him.
On the other hand, Zendaya’s performance appears less impactful, seemingly hampered by Borgli’s script, which misses an opportunity to provide a deeper commentary on America’s gun culture or the implications of a woman of color as a potential mass shooter, diverging from the usual stereotype of a white male. The film fares better as a twisted love story, showcasing how the flaws of Emma and Charlie complement each other, ultimately suggesting they are well-suited as a couple. If it had managed to explore these themes more profoundly, the film could have been truly exceptional. Instead, it presents a dark comedy that examines the chaos that can arise from brutal honesty in a relationship. Borgli himself seems to be grappling with this lesson, as a resurfaced essay from 2012 defending his relationship with a much younger partner raises eyebrows. Yet, one can’t help but wonder if this too is an elaborate act of mischief on his part.
The Drama
Starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. Written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli. Rated R.
