The Drama Review: This Zendaya, Robert Pattinson Film Is Absurd, Unsettling, And So Much Fun!
Zendaya and Robert Pattinson's The Drama is directed by Kristoffer Borgli. Read our review here.
4 / 5
I was excited for this film, but I seriously did not anticipate the thrilling ride that I signed up for. Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s The Drama is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated films of this year, and the promotions have only made us more curious. Finally, The Drama has been watched, and wow, the Kristoffer Borgli film seriously got me thinking! The film deals with so much more than just relationship issues. Here’s a quick review without delving into the spoilers!
Plot
Charlie (Robert Pattinson) and Emma (Zendaya) are a happy couple, planning their wedding. The film begins with their first meeting, and then shifts to the present, where Charlie is discussing his wedding speech with the best man. The story unfolds all the events in Charlie and Emma’s lives that lead to the grand wedding. However, the happy and merry flow of the narrative breaks when a normal conversation with friends turns into a nightmare. Emma’s revelation about the worst thing she has done in life turns the couple’s world upside-down, and the narrative’s tone changes completely thereafter. It also gets worse!
Kristoffer Borgli’s Storytelling, Direction
If you watched any of Kristoffer Borgli’s films, you will be familiar with his absurdist storytelling and dark satires. That’s the exact tone used in The Drama, written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli. The crisp and trippy editing makes the movie-watching experience immersive. In moments, the film is funny, in others, it’s intense, but throughout, there is a sense of discomfort which the storyteller deliberately wants us to feel. The impact is so real that the second-hand embarrassment flows from the screen to us. Kristoffer Borgli creates a world where important discussions are addressed in layers, making one ponder for long after the credits roll! The background tune adds to the atmospheric tension and drama. The film also makes subtle comments on the whole facade of wedding preparations, the idea of love and partnership, and the blurred ethical lines.
Performances
Zendaya maintains a calm and composed demeanour throughout the film, which is balanced by Robert Pattinson’s emotionally overwhelmed Charlie. Both actors have delivered brilliant performances, but Robert Pattinson stands out in the film. The dynamic shift in the character due to the conflicts is portrayed exceptionally well, with the actor not missing out on a single emotional beat.
There are many interesting characters in the film, like the wedding photographer (Zoe Winters), the best man Mike (Mamoudou Athie), the bridesmaid (Alana Haim), and some other supporting characters who had small but impactful roles.
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Running Time And Flaws!
The Drama is around 1 hour and 45 minutes long, and the film makes sure to leave a strong impact on the audience within this duration. It may seem a bit slow at times, and it is also meant to serve a niche audience. The narrative also shifts completely to Charlie, which gives a comparatively lesser screen time to Zendaya, and even a range in the character compared to Robert Pattinson.
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Verdict
Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s The Drama is a weirdly good experience at the movies that one should not miss. It got my jaw clenched, a massive ton of emotions were felt in my tummy and a nail-biting climax that got me jumping out of my seat. Kristoffer Borgli hand-picked issues to address and dealt with them in the most surreal way! Such well-made films are rare, and we can yet again put our trust in this A24 production!
First Published: April 01, 2026 4:20 PM
