Helmed by Norwegian writer-director Kristoffer Borgli (Sick of Myself, Dream Scenario), The Drama examines a transitioning relationship as Charlie Thompson (Robert Pattinson) and Emma Harwood (Zendaya) plan their wedding while second-guessing their commitment to one another and struggling with self-doubt. (105 min.)
THE DRAMA
What’s it rated? R
What’s it worth, Anna? Full price
What’s it worth, Glen? Full price
Where’s it showing? Colony, Downtown Centre, Park, Stadium 10
Glen What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done? It’s a provocative question that’s at the heart of The Drama’s drama. While sampling their wedding food, Charlie, Emma, and their respective best man, Mike (Mamoudou Athie), and maid of honor, Rachel (Alana Haim)—the two are married, and Rachel is Emma’s maid of honor by default since Charlie and Mike are besties—in a drunken moment play the “worst thing” game, and without giving it away, Emma’s is a shocker, especially to Rachel. Is she overreacting? Emma’s worst thing was something she was planning to do but didn’t, so it comes down to action versus intent. It’s a film wrestling with a lot of complicated ideas, but is it a good film? Some might find the third act twist a cheap trick, others might not feel much chemistry between Emma and Charlie. The film is thought-provoking, but yikes! Very cringy to watch unfold.
Anna It’s a film that wants its audience to sit in discomfort, with complicated feelings building and crashing within Charlie and Emma, and tangentially also within characters like Rachel and Mike. Of course, this all comes out in the week before the wedding, and Charlie and Emma’s days are filled with all of the things on their to-do list beforehand—flowers and food choices and a snafu with the DJ are all happening as they try to navigate whether to go through with it. Charlie is trying to get his head around what he’s found out about his betrothed and if he can move past it. Pattinson plays the character in a nervous, neurotic pitch, and while his character’s nerves are certainly understandable, his performance lends to the unease I felt throughout the film.
Glen Wedding planning is inherently horrifying and terrorizing in and of itself! There’s also a lot of projectile vomiting and a lot of imagined scenes happening inside the characters’ heads that play out on-screen as fantasy, which I loved. Lots of flashbacks to young Emma (Jordyn Curet) as a teen. The couple live in Cambridge, Charlie is the chief curator at a fancy art museum, and he and Emma have the sort of casually dazzling comfort only seen in movies. Their apartment is gorgeous, and the only hint of money woes that usually accompany their young ages is a complaint about how much they’ve spent on the wedding. I found many elements of the story implausible. That said, it conjured an interesting range of emotions in me. I can’t guarantee anyone else will like it, but if you’re an adventurous filmgoer who likes to be challenged, I recommend it.
Anna I’m glad I went into this film without knowing the premise (beyond that there was likely drama involved); it let the story unfurl and the interesting film stylization be very present in my viewing. I think that some who are coming to this for the pure love of the lead actors may leave the theater feeling a bit discombobulated. While the film manages to offer a subtle final nod to hope, it’s a pretty rough emotional ride to get there, and the final scenes are particularly uncomfortable. Let go of expectations if you head to the theater. The direction it goes may prove both surprising and interesting. ∆
Arts Editor Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Split Screen. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in April 9-16, 2026.