Also opening this week was A24’s “The Drama,” directed by Kristoffer Borgli and starring Robert Pattinson and Zendaya in a romantic drama. The film debuted with $14.4M domestically, landing in third place, and has earned around $28M worldwide. That marks the third-biggest global opening ever for an A24 release, surpassing expectations.
The film’s controversial plot has sharply divided critics, reflected in its 60 Metacritic score. Many reviews note the story’s provocative choices, which have sparked debate and discussion well beyond the usual A24 audience.
“The Drama” poses a central question: can we, as a society, radically accept someone for who they are today, despite who they were? Zendaya and Robert Pattinson star as a happily engaged couple thrown into chaos when she reveals a dark secret from her past, sending their wedding week completely off the rails. The story then revolves around whether he can accept her as she is now, rather than judge her for who she used to be.
In my review, which I would deem as somewhat positive, I acknowledged that while the film is intentionally uneven, and frustrating —designed to unsettle—it nonetheless provokes. The story does feel structurally thin and dependent on a single big twist, which can make the satire feel shallow at times, but I found Zendaya, and especially Robert Pattinson, really stellar here, they both help keep the movie engaging even when Borgli’s usual knack for deliberate provocation veers toward the troll‑ish or unsubtle side.
Much like Borgli’s “Sick of Myself,” this is essentially a one-joke movie, an intentionally abrasive satire that uses its central twist to expose the emotional vulnerabilities of its two main characters. Honestly, the film becomes more compelling the more tense it gets. There’s a heavy sense of anxiety throughout—particularly in the second half—which reaches its peak during the climax.
Audiences are unsurprisingly divided, with that “B” CinemaScore sticking out — although I did expect a slightly lower grade. Now it’s over to readers — what did you make of “The Drama”? Share your thoughts below.