By Ananya Swaroop
Boston University News Service
Messy relationship timelines have long been a staple of great plotlines in Hollywood movies. Add two prolific actors like Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in the mix, and you have a success story. “The Drama,” which was one of the most anticipated movies of 2026, hit the theaters last week.
The film is exactly what it sounds like, but also not what the audience expected at all — that is the beauty of A24 films. The production house is known to make the audience anticipate what the plot could be and then surprise them with a story that is not only engaging but also has unexpected twists.
“The Drama” stars Zendaya and Pattinson as Emma and Charlie, a couple who are about to get married. Celebrations are in order until a dinner conversation turns wild. It gets intense when Emma confesses to a “bad thing” she did, and things begin to go downhill. There are doubts, there are fights, there are quiet moments, and then there’s the climax. The movie takes you on a whirlwind of emotions, barely keeping you distracted for a moment.
Kristoffer Borgli’s directorial works because of how recognizable the story is. There are bits and pieces in the story that you will relate to. Be it Emma and Charlie communicating in passive-aggressive half-sentences or the friends (Alana Haim and Mamoudou Athie) turning into therapists, the film taps into uncomfortable familiarities. It makes you sit with all these emotions and process them as you see Emma and Charlie struggle to make it to the day of the wedding.
The stars
Zendaya and Robert Pattinson have a history of picking great roles. The two actors can easily mold themselves into whatever character they play on screen. The couple is a fresh pairing, and the audience was excited to see how the two would look together. Naturally, they made playing Emma and Charlie on the screen look effortless.
Thanks to all the promotions and on-screen chemistry, the couple steals the show. The ease with which they played these complex roles testifies that they are truly the master of their crafts.
Special shoutout to Alana Haim, who adds the extra drama to the movie, without which the plot wouldn’t have looked so interesting. The young Emma, played by Jordyn Curet, also needs a special mention. You will understand why!
The supporting cast also includes Athie, Hailey Gates, Sydney Lemmon, Hannah Gross, Anna Baryshnikov, Michael Abbott Jr., Zoë Winters, and others, who also play their part well. The cast works together to create a natural rhythm.
The story
Visually, the film is simple but effective. It is almost claustrophobic how tight some scenes are, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You’re right there with the characters, decoding every awkward glance and subtle shift in expression. This makes the film a little slow as well. The pace at which the movie runs can sometimes test your patience. The moments linger, then they suddenly draw you back with humour — then force you to circle back to the same emotional territory. Someone who does not enjoy that might have trouble keeping up with this pace: but trust me, it is worth it.
The team
Any movie is only successful if the crew is great. Borgil not only directed the story well, but he also wrote it. The movie has its highs and lows. You are laughing one moment and anticipating the next. The dialogue is one of the best parts of the film. It creates a sharp, awkward and sometimes almost painfully real world view that the spectator dives into almost immediately.
Arseni Khachaturan’s mastery of shooting the film aligns perfectly with Borgil’s vision for the movie. The team behind the sets, including costumes, set designs and makeup, did a great job making the stars look good on the screen.
Final verdict
If you are someone who needs constant movement between scenes, then you might find yourself checking your phone from time to time — but the slow burn starts to pay off by the time you reach the climax. The movie stands out because of how self-aware it is, something very common in A24 movies. It’s not theatrical, but as dramatic as life can get.
Overall, “The Drama” is more about celebrating the small moments — dealing with real-life issues and complications of relationships. A little uncomfortable and occasionally funny, the film leaves you thinking. It is definitely worth watching.
Plus, the movie is shot in Boston, which adds another reason why Bostonians should not miss this film in theaters.
