Comedy
Drama
Review: ‘The Drama’ is a Cringe-Inducing Dark Comedy that Will Divide Viewers with Its Central Twist
April 2, 2026Ben MK
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For many couples in long-term relationships, the topic of marriage is one that invariably comes up sooner or later. And for those who decide to take the plunge, planning that all-important wedding day can be a stress-inducing, patience-testing trial in and of itself. From writing the vows to locking in the DJ for the reception, the road to the actual marriage ceremony can be a long one, even if things go completely smoothly. But what if, in the midst of planning your nuptials, you discovered something shocklingly negative about your soon-to-be-spouse that changes the way you look at them forever? Would you be able to look past that surprising revelation and continue on as if everything was normal? That's the premise behind The Drama, in which a shy 30-something named Charlie (Robert Pattinson) finds himself in precisely that situation. The head curator at the Cambridge Art Museum, Charlie thought he had hit the relationship jackpot when he met his beautiful now-fiancée Emma (Zendaya) at a local coffee shop a couple years ago. Unbeknownst to Charlie, however, Emma has been withholding from him a particular aspect of her past that she thought she had left behind years ago. It's something that Emma — who otherwise seems perfect in every way, save for her repulsively annoying laugh and the fact that she's deaf in one ear — has managed to keep a secret for the past 15 years, even from her own parents. But when the casual conversation at a dinner between the couple and their friends, Mike (Mamoudou Athie) and Rachel (Alana Haim), leads to the foursome each confessing the worst thing that they've ever done, a drunken Emma makes the mistake of revealing that long-hidden-away part of her life, not realizing the looks of shock and disgust that would immediately ensue. The shockwaves from that impromptu revelation soon start to ripple through Charlie and Emma's lives, beginning with the awkward conversation that the couple have back at their apartment the next morning and even proceeding to affect the way they interact with their other friends and colleagues. Still, although time is supposed to heal all wounds, as the days go on, Charlie only grows more fixated on the news from that night, as well as more anxious about their impending wedding day. Likewise, Emma also becomes more emotionally disturbed as the big day approaches, mostly because of Rachel's visceral reaction to her revelation and the rift it ends up causing in their friendship. But when it finally comes time for the ceremony, can Charlie and Emma learn to put it all behind them and finally move on? Or will the drama ultimately consume them, ruining what ought to be the most special day of their lives so far and turning it into a spectacle of blood, vomit and tears? Needless to say, to divulge anything more about the reason for all this commotion would no doubt spoil some of the narrative twists and turns that writer-director Kristoffer Borgli has in store for audiences. For those who happen to be familiar with Borgli's previous film, Dream Scenario, however, it should come as no surprise that he manages to squeeze every drop of anxiety and tension out of the movie's high-concept premise. Make no mistake, the plot here is relatively paper-thin, and the film's success absolutely rides on how much viewers buy into its big reveal. Thanks to Pattinson's and Zendaya's committed performances, however, moviegoers should at least be entertained by the result, no matter how amused, shocked or offended they are by Emma's confession. It all adds up to a strong contender for the most divisive movie of the year. For while some audiences might argue that The Drama doesn't go far enough, there will certainly be others who will concur that much of this film is, quite frankly, in bad taste. Either way, fans of cringe-inducing dark comedies should still find at least a modicum of enjoyment in the awkward melodrama that unfolds. After all, we as a society love to laugh at others' misfortune; but when the joke is directed back at us, your mileage may vary. The Drama releases April 3rd, 2026 from VVS Films. Its runtime is 1 hr. 46 min. |
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