In The Drama, an unexpected admission tests a young couple’s relationship the week of their nuptials.
Emma (Zendaya) and Charlie (Robert Pattinson) are in the final stages of their wedding planning. They invite their friends, Rachel (Alana Haim) and Mike (Mamoudou Athie), to help them finalize the menu. Several bottles in, they each take a turn answering the question: “What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?” However, Emma’s drunken confession throws everyone for a loop. The revelation consumes Charlie. As the big day marches closer, their impending vows become less certain.
The film opens like a typical rom-com. She’s fun and unconventional, while he’s strait-laced and conservative. But they balance each other out. And then everything changes. Emma’s revelation immediately draws disbelief, accusations and indignation.
The narrative choice to address a divisive topic inevitably makes audiences uncomfortable. People are likely to feel differently about Emma and how Charlie should handle the situation. Charlie and others ask a lot of questions, but what Emma says is irrelevant if they can’t get past the core issue.
Zendaya and Pattinson have an uncanny ability to have even better chemistry in distress. She behaves as someone who genuinely wishes she could turn back time, drawing empathy even without forgiveness. Meanwhile, Pattinson oozes stress and confusion. His internal struggle to reconcile this new knowledge with the woman he loves colours his whole performance. The pair play their respective roles perfectly.
Director: Kristoffer Borgli
Starring: Zendaya, Robert Pattinson and Alana Haim
