Film Review - The Drama (SPOILER FREE)
Images courtesy of VVS Films.
On the 9th of December 2025, some publicity genius placed an engagement announcement in The Boston Globe to tease The Drama, directed and written by Kristoffer Borgli.
Now, any photo of gorgeous, beloved actors Zendaya and Robert Pattinson is bound to get some eyeballs on it, but depicting this duo as about to be married? A match made in Heaven.
Right?
Right?
Days before their wedding, American publishing agent Emma Harwood (Zendaya) and English museum director Charlie Thompson (Robert Pattinson) finalise their reception menu. Joining them are their maid of honour and best man, married couple Rachel (Alana Haim) and Mike (Mamoudou Athie). The wine flows a little too freely when Rachel insists everyone shares the worst thing they have ever done.
What is disclosed leaves Emma and Charlie’s wedding teetering over the edge.
Independent film production house and distributor, A24 delivers another instant hit. As demonstrated by their recent award-winning arthouse and cult films Marty Supreme (2025), Civil War (2024), and Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022), A24 specialises in leaving the audience reeling.
Borgli conducts a cacophony of non-linear timelines with ease and creates flashbacks that feel like a peek into each character’s psyche. This is uplifted by meticulous shots by cinematographer Arseni Khachaturan and uncompromising cuts by editor Joshua Raymond Lee.
Zendaya and Pattinson excel at delivering complex characters and have galvanising chemistry. There isn’t much to say - they’re as good as you’d expect. Musician Alana Haim makes another excellent foray into acting. She adds undercurrents of devastation to a (rightfully?) spiteful Rachel. Athie portrays Mike with a steadfast loyalty that is at odds with the chaos.
I understand why I had to sign an NDA before viewing this film. It handles a difficult topic from an unlikely perspective and counsels you through the aftershocks.
The Drama reminds viewers that they are not what they almost did, and to give each other a chance to start over.
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The Drama is screening in cinemas now, for tickets and more info, click here.