What Critics Are Saying About Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s A24 Drama
First reviews for The Drama are in, presenting a mixed yet intriguing response to the much-anticipated A24 feature film starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson.
Directed by Norwegian filmmaker Kristoffer Borgli, known for works like Dream Scenario, the movie features additional performances by Mamoudou Athie and Alana Haim. The storyline revolves around an engaged couple whose seemingly perfect wedding week veers off course due to unforeseen circumstances.
Initial critiques highlight the standout performances of Zendaya and Pattinson, though opinions on the film’s overall execution vary significantly among critics.
Hammond praised Pattinson, calling his role a “career-best performance.” Meanwhile, Canada’s CBC described the film as “imperfect, controversial, and fascinating,” noting a “near-endless level of discourse” surrounding its plot twist, although it cautioned that such elements could alienate some audiences.
The review suggested, “Pattinson and Zendaya’s morose, squirm-inducing, watch-through-your-fingers-style comedy stands a greater chance of alienating mainstream audiences than enraging them.”
While The Australian newspaper sharply criticized The Drama as a “repulsive, one-star mess,” the UK’s Guardian offered a contrasting perspective, asserting that the film effectively “delivers on its promise.” The publication further remarked, “The Drama has the spiky, ingenious, tasteless style of his previous film Dream Scenario, and both are superior to his unsubtle narcissism comedy Sick of Myself.”
The review from the Guardian concluded, “It offers us a provocation, a jeu d’ésprit of outrage, a psychological meltdown that is more astutely articulated than in many another more solemnly intended film. And it gives us what it promises in the title.”
Mashable referred to the film as a “cringe comedy,” while USA Today lauded the lead performances, calling both Zendaya and Pattinson “strong” on screen. The publication noted, “Zendaya’s is the more quietly powerful of the two, juggling the heavy emotions of a wedding with her world quickly falling apart around her.” It also described Pattinson as “like a manic roller coaster on screen, increasingly off the rails as the weight of Emma’s reveal has Charlie questioning everything and reacting badly to the situation.” Alana Haim’s character was characterized as someone whose motivations could be interpreted in multiple ways, portraying either heroism or villainy.
In a four-star review, Empire Magazine hailed The Drama as “hilarious in that cruel, keen way that Borgli has proved to be a specialist.” The magazine compared its tone to Borgli’s earlier work, noting that it bends towards a similar style of cringe comedy explored in his acclaimed second feature.
The Independent boldly labeled The Drama as the “most uncomfortable film of the year,” stating, “It asks questions I’m not sure I have the answer to. And that makes me uncomfortable. It makes me feel exposed and challenged. It also makes me want to talk about it with every person I meet. And if that’s not the point of art, then what is?”
The Drama is set to premiere in theaters on April 3.
