THE Drama, the upcoming A24 film starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, is already generating… intense conversation following early screenings.
The dark romantic comedy, directed by Kristoffer Borgli, follows engaged couple Emma and Charlie as their relationship unravels after a major secret comes to light.
According to early reports, the film’s central twist has drawn criticism from some viewers, who described it as disturbing and questioned the way it handles sensitive subject matter.
The reveal reportedly centres on Emma confessing that, as a teenager, she once planned a school shooting but never carried it out.
Some audience members have argued that the storyline is inappropriate for a film marketed in part as a rom-com, while others have raised concerns about the lack of a trigger warning.
The backlash has also prompted responses from those personally affected by school shootings.
Tom Mauser, whose son Daniel was killed in the 1999 Columbine shooting, criticised the film’s use of the topic and said it should not be treated as entertainment.
At the same time, not all early reactions have been negative.
Some viewers praised the movie as bold, provocative, and unexpectedly funny, with particular acclaim for Zendaya and Pattinson’s performances and their on-screen chemistry.
Social media reactions have described the film as unconventional, thought-provoking, and likely to inspire debate.
Zendaya recently hinted at the divisive nature of the project during a TV appearance, saying audiences would leave the theatrE with many different feelings and plenty to discuss.
Pattinson has also spoken about the emotional intensity of filming one of the movie’s major scenes.
With A24 reportedly limiting wide early screenings to preserve spoilers, The Drama is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about releases ahead of its April 3 debut.
Key Points
- Early twist reveals protagonist once planned a school shooting, sparking controversy over tone and sensitivity
- Survivors and victims' families, including Tom Mauser, condemn the portrayal and cite missing trigger warnings
- Others praise lead performances and chemistry; A24 limits early screenings before April 3 debut
Why They're In The News
Why This Matters
The controversy matters because it tests boundaries between dark comedy and real trauma, forcing audiences, filmmakers and distributors to confront ethical storytelling, trigger warnings and how star-driven films shape cultural conversations about violence and responsibility.
