"The Drama" REVIEW

Published on 4/3/2026 

Written by: Braylon Mitchell 

Directed by: Kristoffer Borgli 

Cast: Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Alana Haim, Mamoudou Athie, Haliey Gates, Zoe Winters, etc. 

Plot: A happily engaged couple is put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails. 

REVIEW 

Kristoffer Borgli's "The Drama" is a film interested in pulling off the taboo, carrying itself as an exercise in uncomfortability and dark humor. Since this film's "big secret" is basically the main plot point of the film, it's hard to write a review without spoiling that shockingly dark secret but hey, I'll try the best I can to review the film while tip toeing around fully digging into what it's about. I unfortunately had this film's secret spoiled for me a few months ago when it was leaked online, although for a while I wasn't sure if I believed the leak because of how blatantly controversial it seemed to be. I've got to say, having it spoiled didn't affect my viewing of the film as going into it I was fascinated at how it'd be handled without getting someone somewhere cancelled. I'll be surprised if this film doesn't at least make one major news headline this week. I'm the first to acknowledge that I'm actively trying to strum up intrigue, and purposefully so because I'm trying to convey how much I found the shock value that this film offers to be ridiculously effective. This film swings for the fences when it comes to consistent pursuit of shock value throughout the entire narrative, almost to a fault as it often prioritizes shocking the viewer over diving deeper into the clear complexities of our two main characters as well as a certain social issue I have to leave unnamed for the sake of this spoiler-free review. This film stirs the pot with a lot of interesting concepts of perception and judgment, particularly when it comes to the subject matter that drives the central conflict- concepts and themes that aren't fleshed out as much as I would've liked them to be, but regardless are effectively engaging. If you just let yourself get caught up in the flow of the stressful unraveling of this relationship and embrace the painstakingly cringeworthy awkwardness of how these characters handle this situation, you'll find this film wildly enjoyable. Wildly offensive? Sure. I can't necessarily argue with that. It's poking the bear more than any other "high profile" film in recent memory, but that's the point of the film- it's a darkly comedic character study of this couple and ultimately ends on a note that summarizes their relationship positively (or at least, that's the way I took it) yet it's also a film that wants to be controversial. Sitting in the theater, I could feel in the air how much others in that theater didn't know what to think about the film or when to comfortably laugh or if that was even allowed- and I admittedly found a lot of enjoyment out of that, sitting there awkwardly as well. 

THREE BEST ELEMENTS

• Robert Pattinson's performance. It feels a little weird to single out only one side of what is clearly a co-lead duo of top billed actors, but as much as I love Zendaya and thought she did a great job in this film- I can't deny that it was Robert Pattinson's performance that stole the show for me. He can play a man stressed out of his mind flawlessly, tapping into breakdown mode in a way that's both dramatically interesting and humorous. I continue to be thoroughly impressed by the sheer dedication he brings to each and every role of his. He's a true talent, and an actor whom I'm always excited to see on screen because chances are he's playing a wildly different and distinct character than the last time you saw him. 

• The editing. Right off the bat, I was compelled by this film's sense of style when it came to its editing and how the jagged flow of the film's editing is applied. Cutting between scenes with a nonlinear approach for mainly much of the first act, sporadically showcasing Emma's childhood, and throughout the film tapping into the differing perspectives of our two main characters mostly as a way to present stressfully intrusive bits of imagination- this film's editing is a trip, and I loved it. 

• The score. Only a few weeks after the release of "Project Hail Mary" which includes a score that many are calling the best of his career, composer Daniel Pemberton has already followed up his excellent work for that film with another excellent score for this film. A very different score, as well. He's varied as a composer. The score, comprised primarily of woodwinds, subjects an uneasy yet playful sound that compliments the tone of the film very well. 

WORST ELEMENT 

• With the topics it explores and the complexity of the central relationship, the film never digs into those aspects on a deeper level. In other words, it feels surface level- which I found to be disappointing as the film certainly isn't without the potential for more depth in what its tackling. 

RATING

7/10

It's a conversation starter that's for sure and is worth a watch, buddy!