We got invited to the wedding of the year… - 'The Drama' Movie Review
- Marcos S. Rutherford
- Apr 10
- 5 min read
You’re probably dying to gossip about it too—this weird, embarrassing, uncomfortable, and intensely dramatic situation we’re witnessing, right? If you aren't, you should be, because The Drama is the event of the year. Charlie (Robert Pattinson) and his fiancé, Emma (Zendaya), have just let us crash their love story and their highly intriguing wedding.
Just last week, when the initial releases started rolling out, I was joking with my friends that I would literally make myself sick with a fever if I didn't watch this motion picture immediately. My anticipation was so high that I couldn't even formulate expectations or create scenarios in my head about the plot. I must confess: I don't watch trailers. I went in completely blind—I saw absolutely nothing before my screening. I only kept up with some of the promotional strategies (I am a marketing student, after all), but I was extremely careful not to consume anything that could spoil fragments of the narrative and ruin my experience.
Written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli, the film is billed as a dark comedy examining the relationship of a soon-to-be-married couple. The narrative kicks off by showing us how the pair—played by Pattinson and Zendaya—first meet at a coffee shop while she’s reading The Damage, a fictional book that exists solely within the movie's universe. In an attempt to strike up a conversation, Charlie takes advantage of the moment Emma steps away to grab a refill, leaving her book on the counter. He snaps a picture of it to do a quick deep-dive search. When Emma sits back down, Charlie feels it’s his moment to make a move. This scene alone masterfully sets the tone for the entire feature. When Charlie stands next to Emma and starts talking, she completely ignores him. Even without an earbud in the ear closest to him, she doesn't react or show the slightest intention of listening. He begins to drown in his own anxious, cringe-inducing thoughts, looking at the faces of everyone in the room who are witnessing his painfully failed flirtation. Charlie retreats to his seat but feels the need to clear the air. As he leaves the coffee shop, he tries to talk to Emma once more. Although she doesn't hear him this second time either, she finally notices his presence, removes the earbud from her other ear, and explains to him (and the audience) that she is actually deaf in her right ear. This lessens the secondhand embarrassment of Charlie's first attempt, but still leaves him in a pretty awkward spot. Emma, however, takes pity on his clumsy approach and suggests they start their interaction over from scratch. This clearly worked out perfectly for them, considering the narrative then cuts to Charlie finalizing and practicing his wedding speech for Mike (Mamoudou Athie), his best friend and best man.
I detailed the introductory sequence so thoroughly because what intrigued me most is how perfectly it synthesizes the thematic arc we witness throughout the entire film—consider this a fair warning. The scenes following the groom’s speech rehearsal establish the couple's dynamic. As a viewer completely in the dark about what the film is truly about, you start to wonder if all "the drama" stems from Charlie's lie about reading that book to impress Emma. Because yes, she still doesn't know; he never actually came clean about it.
"What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?" This single question, dropped right in the middle of their wedding menu tasting, was enough to completely derail the harmony leading up to the couple's big day. Joining them at the tasting table were Mike and Rachel, played by Alana Haim. When I said I avoided all promotional material for this release, I meant it LITERALLY, so coming face-to-face with her on screen was a massive surprise. The friends initiate this little game, and everyone confesses their worst "sins." Then, it's Emma's turn. She reveals that, as a teenager, she had planned a school shooting due to the incessant bullying she endured, but because another shooting happened at the same time, she ended up not going through with it.
From that point on, the film descends into absolute chaos. A snowballing sequence of dramatic events unfolds in such an escalating manner that you can't help but sit there in shock, feeling slightly secondhand embarrassed to be witnessing it all. Romance exits the stage, and the couple's profound discomfort pierces right through the screen, making it almost impossible not to squirm in your seat. That visceral "Oh my God, JUST DON'T DO THAT" feeling keeps mounting until, right when you think you can't take it anymore, a sharp joke shatters the tension and keeps the pacing dynamic. The rapid-fire editing cuts that initially gave the narrative a rom-com vibe now pivot to represent Charlie’s hallucinations and psychological unravelling in the wake of Emma's revelation.
This is a movie that surprised me from beginning to end. Looking back at the trailer now, I realize its brilliance is the product of a genuinely stellar screenplay and sharp direction, not just the fact that I went in blind. The film, albeit in a highly specific and somewhat sardonic way, subtextually raises the controversial debate surrounding gun control in the United States. It highlights how school shootings have become so frequent that, tragically, the horrific seems to be getting normalized.
Zendaya brings Emma to life so brilliantly that I would easily rank this performance as one of the best of her career, sitting right up there side-by-side with Rue from Euphoria (which, by the way, returns this coming weekend—it’s officially a Zendaya Year). As for Robert Pattinson, his performance leaves you speechless. It is undoubtedly one of his strongest roles. Charlie fits his portfolio like a glove, especially since it's such a massive departure from his brooding turn in The Batman—that’s my main point of reference, as I haven't had the chance to catch Die My Love yet, though I hear it’s equally brilliant. The world-building is so immersive that even the most minor supporting characters manage to flex their comedic muscle, like the wedding DJ and Sam (iykyk). And if even they get a sizable slice of this wedding cake, imagine the bridal party. Alana Haim and Mamoudou Athie are captivating, adding an essential layer of drama to the story. So, on top of the surprise of seeing Haim on screen, I also got some genuine laughs out of the wedding finale.
The Drama delivers on all its promises, and the screenplay truly lives up to its title. It’s a story layered with tragedy, comedy, and a profound depth that unapologetically conveys everything it sets out to say to the audience. The promotional strategies for the film are undoubtedly a standout and honestly deserve a dedicated article of their own.
'The Drama' is now playing in theaters worldwide and you can check the nearest seassion by clicking here.
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