The recently released A24 movie, The Drama, has created a lot of discourse between viewers by writing about a sensitive topic. A24 produces movies on a budget and mainly uses word-of-mouth as marketing. It has taken Hollywood by storm by the production of films like Moonlight (2016), Eternity (2025), The Legend of Ochi (2025). Given how the independent entertainment company has become known for its austerity and simplicity in production, it was almost expected for this to be a character-driven movie. What the movie lacked in production value was made up for by the strong emotional pull of the film. The couple and focal characters of the movie are introduced a week away from getting married. Everything is perfect; they are writing their vows, reminiscing about the past, and organizing for their wedding—everything that a couple deeply in love would do. Charlie (Robert Pattinson) and Emma (Zendaya)
are out with two of their friends to dinner finalizing a wedding menu when everything changes for the happy couple. All their plans start hightailing out of control, and even the wedding comes into question. It is now up to the couple to rein in their relationship and reconcile with the damage that was done. The movie has been advertised as a rom-com, but as soon as the first scene starts, there is an air of uncertainty and discomfort that makes it clear the movie is one that sits with the audience after the fact.
The movie seems slightly irrational at first, but that is director Kristoffer Borgli’s style. His work on Dream Scenario (2023), Sick of Myself (2022), and many impactful short films are wonderful representations of how erratic a movie can seem at first glance. Nevertheless, it quickly becomes clear how the movie is representative of how society defines limits and how cancel culture affects daily lives. The couple and their two friends from dinner earlier are symbolistic of how different sets of people act when confronted with indigestible news. There is no clear villain in the movie, only different opinions, making the interpretations varied based on the audience’s own views. There is no clear plot mechanism in the movie, which leaves the audience wondering how the movie will progress based on the character’s actions.
Many view this movie as cowardice of Brogli and his lack of a definite stance on the issue the movie revolves around. Critics from The New Yorker have said this movie is a one hour and 45 minute troll and the characters do not have a personality. Despite this, it has done well in the box office, given it was released the same week as The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. It is one of A24’s biggest movies at an estimated $28 million dollars worldwide for opening weekend.
For being such a hit, it has had many divisive reviews online, but the general reaction from LM students seems to be positive. Students at LM who have seen the movie have had very interesting reactions, both initial and afterthought. Mia Shkedy ’27 says, “ I liked the movie overall, a lot more than I was expecting. It was actually really funny.” The movie has been advertised to keep the plot twist under wraps, leading to shocked reactions from audience members. Zendaya’s role of Emma was originally meant to be cast as a white woman; this sparked discourse onto how the movie would be received if Emma was not a woman of color, but a less oppressed group. While that can be a factor for some people, oftentimes a wrongdoing is a wrongdoing no matter who is behind it. “I personally would not see [Emma] differently,” said Shkedy, showing that multiple opinions exist and none of them are wrong.
The Drama can be seen through different perspectives; it all depends on how the movie resonates after the fact. There can be many interpretations, which is what makes it such an interesting movie to discuss. Overall, The Drama is worth it if you are okay feeling uncomfortable and sitting with a movie. It requires the audience to visualize a continuation of the story and how the couple continues on after what took place, but it is a great watch.
