Photo via IMDb
By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done? That is the question that lingers like a parasite in A24’s latest offbeat romantic comedy, “The Drama.” Uniquely original, intoxicating storytelling, and dynamic performances from the leads make this dark comedy a memorable foray into the deepest pit of human thought, sticking with you long afterwards like a grease stain you can’t wipe away.
It’s a week before their wedding, and Emma (Zendaya) and Charlie (Robert Pattinson) couldn’t be happier as they finalize the various arrangements. That is until their best friends, Rachel (Alana Haim) and Mike (Mamoudou Athie) convince them one drunken night to play a game of telling each other the worst thing they’ve ever done in their life. When it gets to Emma’s turn, her response is both alarming and upsetting to the point where it could ruin everything.
Norwegian writer/director Kristoffer Borgli, who is coming off of his biggest career success with 2023’s “Dream Scenario,” returns with an equally riveting film that also explores the inexplicable ideas that perverse the human brain. He almost lulls audiences into the familiar territory of a straightforward rom com in the opening act, only to apply a defibrillator to the story, suddenly and shockingly making an acute left turn into darkness with a main character revelation. This exposed secret sets the rest of the movie in motion with the other characters having mixed reactions to this news, spiraling a beautiful romantic connection into unfamiliarity and doubt. The resulting awkwardness and social fallout tantalizingly keep audiences riveted as to how this will all play out.
Borgli makes great use of flashbacks to establish the loving foundation the two main characters share with each other, showing the key memories of their relationship. After the big reveal, he also incorporates scenes of twisted recollections, showing how the revelation is corrupting previously benign memories to reinforce this new truth. These moments sometimes blur fiction with reality that can confuse viewers if they are not paying careful attention. Throughout it all, Borgli laces it with dark comedy that is both funny and uncomfortable. He purposefully incorporates anxiety-driven humor with tension-building scenes and acidic satire designed to make viewers squirm while simultaneously laughing that explodes in exquisite fashion during the final act.
Zendaya and Robert Pattinson provide two performances that make this movie worth every minute and every dollar. The chemistry between the two is undeniable, beautifully representing a young couple very much in love only to deteriorate into ambiguous tension. As the darkness of Zendaya’s character’s past is revealed, she transitions into immediate regret in light of the reactionary fallout, desperately reaching for any lifeline to convince everyone she’s a different person as an adult. The resulting mental and emotional fatigue she portrays is palpable, leaving viewers empathetic towards her character while still being wary. This multilayered performance is easily one of her best to date. This is just the beginning of her very busy year with “The Odyssey,” “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” and “Dune: Part Three” yet to come.
English actor Robert Pattinson is equally as busy and will continue to share the screen with Zendaya in “The Odyssey” and “Dune: Part Three” later this year. His twitchy, mentally fixated performance in this film steals the show. He authentically does not always have perfect responses, in fact, he rarely does, sputtering, stammering, and blurting out things he shouldn’t be saying. This embroils his character in a constant state of awkward tension and anxiety that create some of the more naturally funny scenes.
A24 is known for taking risks with creative storytelling. Sometimes they pan out, and other times they don’t. “The Drama” is one original story that works, but don’t confuse it with a lighthearted romantic comedy, because it is far from being that. This takes you down a psychological rabbit hole of passing judgment and gossip that is both humorous and uncomfortable. Take your friends and/or significant others to see one of the better films to be released so far this year. It will tempt you to ask them the same loaded question, but beware; you may not be ready to hear the answer.
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