THE DRAMA

The Drama delivers a nerve wracking, wickedly funny in the most twisted way imaginable, and unhinged deconstruction of a relationship that shines thanks to the outstanding performances of Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, who ensure that writer and director Kristoffer Borgli’s latest film is not only his best to date, but one of the best films of the year so far!

When choosing to marry someone, it is normally because not only are you in absolute love with them, but because you know everything about them and implicitly trust them with your life. So how would you react if in the days leading up to the wedding you learn your partner’s darkest act from their past and it completely shatters your perception of them. Would you still be able to marry them, knowing the person that they are today and your love would prevail, or would this truth destroy all the trust you have built with them because of the person they used to be? This is the dilemma that writer and director Kristoffer Borgli explores in his latest film, The Drama, and anyone who is familiar with Borgli’s previous films knows that it is going to be a dark and twisted experience from start to finish. Not only delivering on the promise with plenty of drama arising from its shocking revelation, but led by two spectacular performances from Zendaya and Robert Pattinson with a scene stealing turn by Alana Haim, even if The Drama is not going to be for all audiences, it is a diabolically ambitious and comfort pushing film that flips the romantic comedy archetype on its head and delivers a panic inducing exploration of love, trust and past actions that audiences won’t soon forget.

It is hard to fully discuss The Drama without revealing the truth that paralyzes the trust between Emma and Charlie days before they are set to walk down the aisle, but to fully experience the shock, psychological spiralling and discourse of the film, you want to know nothing about it when you sit down in a theatre to watch the film. The truth comes so far out of left field, dropping not only a shattering and disturbing truth on Charlie but on the audience as well, that it is going to divide viewers on the film because what Borgli begins to explore is not an easy subject matter, let alone one you would expect to see in a romantic comedy-drama… even a psychological one. And while Borgli explores the contents of the truth itself that is revealed, highlighting a societal crisis that has only gotten worse over the years that the film takes a firm stance against, he does not linger on this discourse. The entire screenplay is infused with his signature dark and outrageous comedic moments that revolve around Emma’s truth that are specifically designed to make viewers uncomfortable as you shouldn’t be laughing but can’t help as you watch the characters spiral out of control, including what is easily one of the best scenes of the year with Zoë Winters’ wedding photographer Frances unknowingly setting the couple off while trying to capture authentic moments of love and joy on camera between Emma and Charlie in the early hours of Emma’s truth ripping them apart. But rather than focusing on the subject matter of Emma’s truth, Borgli largely decides to focus on the characters and the psychological unraveling of the relationship caused by that secret, creating a far more intriguing character drama.

By focusing on Emma and Charlie as characters, Borgli grounds the film and prevents it from becoming a spectacle surrounding the specifics of Emma’s secret, allowing for a more honest explanation of Emma and Charlie as individuals and as a couple after this earth shattering truth is revealed. While the truth that Emma shares is unquestionably disturbing, with the personal growth and healing that Emma has done in the years following the actions of her truth, the amends she made with it and everything she has accomplished since, Borgli poses the question of whether an individual is defined by their weakest and most desperate moment in life, or is it the way they move on from that moment and define their life and personality? This personal crisis within Emma is genuinely contrasted to her maid of honour’s truth, which is just as horrible in another way and frankly more disturbing given how Rachel laughs about it and treats her heinous actions like a trivial joke despite her actions causing real harm which Emma’s did not

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With Charlie, who has every right to be frightened by what he learnt about Emma, Borgli explores another side of humanity. As Charlie fixates on Emma’s truth, he spirals out of control, overreacting to the smallest of details, lying and committing unforgivable acts all under the excuse that he is so distraught over learning the truth about his bride that he believes gives him a hall pass to do so, despite the individual who committed those actions not being who Emma is today. By revolving around these two competing character studies, Borgli builds a riveting psychological character drama that creates an unbearable tension throughout the film, only heightened by Daniel Pemberton’s panic riddled musical score featuring sounds of piercing flutes throughout, resulting in a film that is certain to spark discussions amongst viewers about the redeemability of the relationship. In writing a screenplay where there is no true right or wrong for either character, Borgli presents Emma and Charlie by letting the audience decide if their differences can be reconciled by their love, leaving the audience with the discussion around if it is even possible for Emma and Charlie to move forward with the strength of their love is strong or if the revelation will be the end of them.

Marking the first of three films they are starring in together, Zendaya and Pattinson have just kicked off what might be one of the most legendary runs of any screen pairings in a single year with their fantastic performances in The Drama. As a couple before the earth shattering truth threatens to destroy them, there is playful and undeniable romantic chemistry that is sweet, a little savage, and passionate that kicks off the film. But when Emma’s truth shatters their idyllic life together, the fallout is catastrophic as the worst in each of them comes out as they enter a full on psychological war with each other. Zendaya brings strength in Emma’s silence as she grapples with her past actions and the woman she became since, while trying to remain calm and have an honest conversation with Charlie about who she was and how she is no longer that person. It’s a nuanced performance that excels in the moments of silence in the first half of the film, transitioning to powerful moments of confrontation in the second half that showcases all of Zendaya’s range as an actress. Pattinson delivers what is arguably his best performance as Charlie, fully shedding his leading man charm and becoming the dweebish Charlie, spectacularly spiralling out of control as Charlie gets lost in his own self doubt over who Emma is. Whether it be the arrogance that he brings to his fights with Emma acting as if he is a better person due to learning her secret, the apprehension he now views Emma with, or the bumbling appearance he takes on publicly as he struggles with not revealing Emma’s dark past, its Pattinson unlike you have ever seen him perform proving there is nothing he can’t do.

Alana Haim is a whirlwind of chaotic, comedic genius as Rachel, the maid of honour. Wearing her hypocrisy with a self righteousness that steals the spotlight every moment she is on camera, Haim shows a massive improvement in her acting abilities over her previous three films that allows her to stand out amongst an incredibly talented cast, including one unforgettable and unhinged maid of honour speech which will never be forgotten. Haim’s entire performance is built around a magnetic charm and unmissable screen presence that makes it delightful to utterly despise the high and mighty Rachel judging others who are just as horrendous as her. Mamoudou Athie brings a much needed calming factor to the film as Mike as he tries to ground Charlie and help him navigate his breakdown of his relationship with Emma, characterized by an undeniable judgement of Rachel and concern for what her secret has revealed about her, while Hailey Benton Gates is great as Charlie’s co-worker Misha as she unsuspectedly causes him to spiral even further out of control. And while she only has two scenes, there is no denying the brilliance of Winters who brings an absolute joy to the film as she unknowingly intensifies the friction between Emma and Charlie with a bubbly and energetic presence which fuels the outrageous comedy of Borgli’s screenplay.

Nothing can remotely prepare you for what unravels in The Drama, but in true A24 fashion, it is bold storytelling that takes daring swings that is certain to not only leave viewers uncomfortable, but generate long lasting conversation about the themes explored in the film. Championed by two powerhouse performances by Zendaya and Robert Pattinson and a heinously perfect Alana Haim, Kristoffer Borgli’s screenplay comes to glorious life with all its complexities in this psychological character study that is anything but the romantic comedy audiences are expecting of it, ensuring that The Drama is an unhinged, uncomfortably hilarious and challenging film that cements itself as one most unforgettable films of the to date!