What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done? What’s the worst thing someone could do before you forgive them?
These are both questions that are central to the plot of “The Drama,” starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. One week before their wedding, at a dinner party with their friends, Emma (Zendaya) admits to something that makes her fiance, Charlie (Robert Pattinson), question whether he even wants to marry her. Emma’s maid of honor, Rachel (Alana Haim), threatens to drop out, and things only get worse from there.
From their DJ maybe doing heroin to dealing with their neurotic photographer (Zoe Winters), who steals every scene she’s in, to trying to manage Emma’s secret and what it means for the future of their marriage, it really is a wonder that this wedding is happening at all. As their relationship continues to be on the rocks, Charlie has to decide if he can forgive Emma, and by the end, Emma might have to forgive him too.
I enjoyed how the movie doesn’t take sides, allowing for nuanced discussion and offering plenty of reasons to sympathize with both Emma and Charlie. Different people will have different opinions about who is right and who is wrong, and the film allows viewers to make those judgements themselves. This has led to a lot of spirited discussion both online and in person, which I find frankly incredible.
The marketing was amazing — they took out a wedding announcement in the Boston Globe and had a wedding and set up a pop-up wedding chapel in Las Vegas. It seems that A24 really pulled out all the stops to promote this film. Additionally, I am so glad I didn’t learn the twist (though, can it really be called a twist if it happens in the first 15 minutes of the movie?) until I was sitting in the theater, allowing me to react to it in real time alongside the characters. This is also the reason I’ve decided not to reveal what Emma’s secret is in this review, in an attempt to get you to watch it for yourself.
Both Pattinson and Zendaya deliver truly compelling performances. Pattinson’s portrayal of his descent from normal neurosis to paranoia is believable, and Zendaya’s performance is equally impressive. Both actors bring depth to their roles, making the film worth watching. Haim was also incredible. It’s very rare that a performance can truly make me hate a character, but she plays Rachel in a way that made me want to punch her in the face. Jordyn Curet, as a young Emma, also brings an incredibly emotionally layered performance that you don’t often see from child actors.
The editing was also top-notch. Cutting away from Charlie getting punched just as the fist is about to connect with the face made me actually flinch back in my seat. The editor knows how to show us just enough to understand what’s going on in any given scene without showing too much or releasing the tension from the scene.
I recommend seeing this film in theaters if you can. Hearing your fellow audience members gasp and giggle at the plot creates a shared excitement that only a theater can offer, making the experience more memorable and engaging. I also recommend going with other people so you can argue with them about it afterward.
