The Drama (2026) - Film Review

Film Details

Director: Kristoffer Borgli 

Run Time: 1hr 46m

Cast: Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Alana Haim, Zoe Winters, Mamoudou Athie, Sydney Lemmon

Synopsis 

A happily engaged couple have their relationship put to the test when an unexpected revelation throws their wedding week off the rails.

My Review

Borgli’s ‘The Drama’ is a romance film unlike any I have ever seen before! Refusing to settle in any one particular genre, the director regularly switches the tone of the film in order to evoke a different reaction from the audience. Whether it is laughter, empathy, crippling anxiety or even second hand embarrassment, each reaction sparks conversation, making it a wild ride of emotions that was both thought provoking and anxiety inducing in equal measure. 

The film is centred around a single moment, four characters revealing to each other the worst thing they have ever done, and it’s fair to say I was not expecting Emma’s big reveal to be what it was! Undoubtedly a sensitive subject, it was initially tackled with a black comedy style, using satire to make the topic more approachable and I thought this was a stroke of genius! The humour, particularly around Charlie’s reaction, creates a lot of empathy for Emma, especially combined with Rachel’s abrasive hypocrisy and this reflected societies tendency to be judgemental of the individual and rather ignorant to the root cause of the issue at hand. Posing the question, can people really change or does one moment (or lack thereof) really define us forever? We are left juggling that moral dilemma throughout the film and it created the foundations for a wonderfully nuanced storyline.

From a technical perspective, I thought the film was excellent! Underpinned by a subtle, yet effective musical score that built up tension perfectly, meanwhile emphasising the comedic nature of events unfolding on screen. I also appreciated how anxiety was represented here too, that sense of paranoia within both Emma and Charlie had a very distinct visual presence that worked really well and ultimately rubbed off on the audience. Zendaya and Robert Pattinson are in top form here, their wonderful chemistry makes the relationship feel incredibly authentic and that chemistry is make or break for a romance film!

The final act is one of the best examples you will see of anxiety inducing cinema this year! All of the plot threads coming together for a thrilling conclusion, patiently waiting for the volcano to erupt under the pressure and chaos to ensue. But after the dust had settled, we are reminded of the romantic core of the film, with a beautifully messy end for these characters. ‘The Drama’ might ruffle a few feathers, it isn’t pretentious or condescending in its approach to tackling societal or political issues, it’s subtle and as I mentioned, incredibly nuanced. But if there is one thing I’m certain on, it’s that Rachel deserved way more criticism for her evil deed!

My Rating: 8 out of 10

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Film Review Club