On March 17, 2026, “The Drama” premiered at DGA Theatre in Los Angeles and was afterward released in movie theaters on April 3. Fans have been waiting anxiously, since the film was announced nearly two years ago in August 2024. So far, it has grossed over $65 million globally with a $28 million budget. It is estimated to become A24’s fifth movie to surpass $100 million in revenue. It was directed by Kristoffer Borgli and produced by Ari Aster, Lars Knudsen and Tyler Campellone.
Starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, the movie was advertised on Google with the description, “A happily engaged couple get put to the test when an unexpected revelation sends their wedding week off the rails.”
This description, along with promotional activities, didn’t give very much information away about the actual plot of the movie, which intrigued movie lovers even more. But as more and more audiences viewed the movie, the plot twist in the film was brought to light on the internet; and discourse on social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Threads and X has been increasing, calling out topics in the movie such as racial bias, forgiveness, friendship and morals.
Senior Ava Nuccetelli commented, “I thought it was just going to be a rom-com because it was just showing wedding details and they seem like a good couple. But, after seeing the trailers, it seems quite the opposite.”
The film was promoted with romantic wedding shoots, calm and uncontroversial interviews and short, untelling trailers. It did not initially seem like it was going to tell the darker story it ended up telling, and audiences were looking forward to seeing their favorite actors fall in love on screen.
The film hit the screens with subject matter controversy and lack of warning for viewers.
Before viewing the movie, viewers such as Nuccetteli predicted a murder mystery theme, wondering if the main character, Emma, played by Zendaya, had killed someone. However, not many guessed the true secret that would be revealed.
*SPOILERS AHEAD*
Within the first 20 minutes of the film, the couple attends a dinner in which they all confess the worst thing they have ever done. The main character, Emma, confesses that she planned and almost carried out a school shooting during high school. Even though the rest of the guests at the dinner had actually done bad things to others, Emma was judged harshly. Her fiance feels he no longer knows her, and her friends are angry and disgusted. This throws off the entire romantic wedding plot of the movie, and it now becomes more of an intense drama.
“At first, I thought the movie was super cute and the relationship was cute, but when she told her secret, it kind of made me sick,” shared Nuccetteli.
Viewers were shocked by this confession and couldn’t believe there were not any content warnings. As the world deals with a seemingly increasing amount of gun-related issues, many believed that it was an unnecessarily upsetting choice to make for the writers, especially because they did not offer warnings for people who could have trauma from similar incidents.
Nuccetteli explained, “I think it was about relationships and how deeply you can be in love with someone, even after finding out a shocking secret.”
The film explores how trust and secrets can affect a relationship, even a relationship that is about to take the next big step into marriage. It shows how secrets can test friendships and fiancés. Even though it can be triggering for some to watch, it also brings difficult issues to the public eye to raise awareness and try to implement change.
