Movie Summary:
“The Drama,” starring Zendaya as Emma Harwood and Robert Pattison as Charlie Thompson, is an A24 movie directed by Kristoffer Borgli. The story follows a happily engaged couple set to get married. They are put to the test when they each reveal their darkest secret, sending their wedding week off the rails. “The Drama” released in theaters Friday, April 3.
Liz says 4 stars
A24’s recent film ‘The Drama’ starring Zendaya as Emma Harwood and Robert Pattinson as Charlie Thompson, delivers a story with unexpected twists that will leave viewers thinking long after watching.
Charlie and Emma are set to get married, but after a game of “What’s the worst thing you’ve done?” with Charlie’s friends, their plans take a turn for the worse.
When it comes to Emma’s turn, she shares something from her dark childhood that shocks everyone at the table, including her fiancé. The news lingers with Charlie so much so that he can’t stop thinking about it, he questions her, and he starts going through a moral dilemma. Emma remains open and honest as they continue with their pre-wedding responsibilities, including photoshoots.
Charlie begins asking coworkers hypothetical questions about what they would do if they were in a similar position as him and how they would react.
The tension continues to build as the movie progresses. Charlie struggles to believe that the person he thought he once knew and loves is still the same person after discovering a secret from her past.
— Elizabeth Jacobo
CJ says 3 and a half stars
“The Drama” delivers a tense and emotionally charged story that lingers well after the credits roll. At its core, the film explores trust, intimacy and the unsettling reality that we may never fully know the person closest to us and how conflicts within relationships can boil over into the eyes of loved ones around us.
It opens conversations about relationships in a way that feels both timely and deeply personal, while ultimately grounding itself in a redemption arc that gives the story weight.
What stands out most is the directing. In moments where dialogue is minimal, the film relies on camera angles, framing and subtle expressions to reveal what the characters cannot say out loud.
These quiet, uncomfortable exchanges between partners are where the film is at its strongest, allowing tension to build through visual storytelling alone.
The narrative takes unexpected turns that keep the audience on edge, embracing an anxiety-driven tone that feels right at home with A24. It is unsettling, but in a way that feels purposeful and rewarding.
— Chijioke Onyeagucha
