Zendaya and Robert Pattinson star in a provocative wedding comedy : NPR
NPR • • entertainment
Key Points:
- "The Drama," directed by Kristoffer Borgli, is a dark comedy that explores the performative nature of weddings and relationships, centering on a couple, Charlie (Robert Pattinson) and Emma (Zendaya), whose relationship is tested by a shocking revelation.
- Emma confesses during a drunken wedding menu tasting that she once nearly committed a mass shooting as a teenager, a disclosure that upends their relationship and challenges societal stereotypes about race and violence.
- The film critiques America's gun violence culture and highlights the hypocrisy in reactions to Emma's past, while using Charlie's escalating panic to underscore the strain of maintaining appearances.
- Zendaya's portrayal of Emma offers a restrained performance, with criticism that the film misses deeper exploration of her character's interiority and racial identity, limiting the potential impact of the provocative premise.
- Despite its lack of depth, "The Drama" provides a compelling and unsettling viewing experience that invites reflection on the darker aspects of human nature and the facades maintained in relationships.
