The Drama: A24's Controversial Film with Zendaya and Robert Pattinson
The A24 film "The Drama," starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, premiered on April 3, 2026. The film has generated mixed critical reception and public controversy due to its central plot twist involving a character's past plan for a school shooting, as well as criticism of the studio's marketing strategy.
Film Synopsis
"The Drama," written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli, follows Emma Harwood (Zendaya) and Charlie Thompson (Robert Pattinson), an engaged couple in the days leading up to their wedding. During a conversation with friends, Emma reveals that as a teenager, she planned a school shooting. According to sources, she practiced shooting, recorded videos, and brought her father's gun to school, though she did not execute the plan. A nearby shooting reportedly led her to become involved in gun control activism.
The remaining cast includes Mamoudou Athie as Mike, Alana Haim as Rachel, as well as Hailey Gates, Zoë Winters, and Anna Baryshnikov.
The film's conclusion shows Charlie and Emma proceeding with their wedding, though Charlie exhibits erratic behavior during the reception, including an offensive speech. The film ends with the two characters encountering each other at a diner, where they reintroduce themselves.
Critical Reception
Critical reviews for "The Drama" have been mixed. The film holds a Rotten Tomatoes score fluctuating between 80% and 85%, based on approximately 155 early reviews.
Positive Reviews
"It's rare to see a mainstream film so eager to stick out its tongue and lick one of the last genuine third rails of American discourse."
— David Ehrlich, IndieWire
Some critics highlighted the performances of Zendaya and Pattinson, with USA Today noting Zendaya's "quietly powerful" performance and Pattinson's "manic roller coaster" portrayal. Empire Magazine gave a four-star review, finding the film "hilarious in that cruel, keen way" characteristic of Borgli's work.
Negative Reviews
Odie Henderson of The Boston Globe referred to the twist as a "repugnant, tasteless surprise." Nick Schager of The Daily Beast called the film a "torturous tone-deaf joke." Robert Daniels of RogerEbert.com questioned the film's harshness toward its characters, while Time Out suggested the movie lacked investment in its own characters.
Critical Statements on Plot Theme
Multiple sources reported public criticism of the film's subject matter.
"Leaving [the marketing] up in the air and not taking responsibility and discussing how heavy and real world that topic is is a missed opportunity at best, but harmful at worst."
— Jaclyn Corin, Executive Director, March for Our Lives
March for Our Lives issued a statement on Instagram criticizing A24's marketing campaign as "deeply misaligned" with the film's subject matter. The organization stated that while the film might aim to address questions about accountability and change, the marketing approach does not meet that goal. The group noted that discussions about school shootings should extend beyond the screen to how a film is presented.
Mia Tretta, a survivor of a 2019 high school shooting, stated to USA Today that a character planning a school shooting "isn't something that should be joked about."
Tom Mauser, whose child was killed in the 1999 Columbine High School Massacre, told TMZ that the film's premise is "awful."
Corin expressed broader concerns regarding the casting of Zendaya and Pattinson, stating that the actors' significant cultural influence "raises the stakes" for how the film's message is conveyed. She added, "I hope that they use their platforms to talk about gun violence responsibly because they chose to play these characters."
Marketing Campaign
A24's promotional campaign for "The Drama" focused on wedding-themed imagery and events. Marketing materials included:
- A mock engagement announcement in the Boston Globe
- A wedding-themed website, charlieandemmaforever.com
- A one-day wedding chapel in Las Vegas featuring a surprise appearance by Zendaya
- Film posters that evolved from romantic imagery to darker visuals
The studio did not disclose the school shooting plot element in initial marketing materials. Multiple sources reported that journalists at advance screenings were instructed not to reveal the plot twist. A24 did not provide comment to IndieWire regarding the criticism.
Russell Schwartz, an associate professor of film and media arts, characterized the marketing as a deliberate method of building anticipatory tension. Dr. Laurena Bernabo, an assistant professor specializing in entertainment and media studies, described the technique as "purposefully incoherent" but noted its effectiveness in creating suspense.
Director's Background
Sources reported that a 2012 essay by director Kristoffer Borgli, published in a Norwegian magazine, discussing a past relationship with a younger girl during his twenties, circulated online prior to the film's release. A24 and Borgli did not provide comments on these reports.
Box Office Performance
"The Drama" earned $14 million domestically and $13.6 million internationally in its opening weekend, for a global total of $28 million, matching its reported production budget.