Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in A24's The Drama
If you’ve seen the cryptic trailers for A24’s latest dark comedy, The Drama, you are likely wondering what the massive "twist" is that the marketing campaign has been hiding. Starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, and directed by Kristoffer Borgli (Dream Scenario), the film has been building massive online hype.
However, A24's coy publicity campaign might be setting audiences up for the wrong kind of surprise. If you want to walk into the theater completely blind, stop reading now. But if you want to know exactly what causes this "edgelord comedy" to screech to a halt, let's dive into the spoilers.
What is the Twist in The Drama?
The massive reveal that the marketing has been desperately hiding happens surprisingly early—about 20 minutes into the film's runtime.
During an evening gathering, Emma (Zendaya) brings the conversation to a dead stop by confessing a dark secret from her high school years. As a troubled teenager who was seduced by the online glamorization of violence, Emma actively contemplated and planned a school shooting.
Through a series of flashbacks (featuring Jordyn Curet playing the teenage Emma), we learn exactly how far she took this dark fantasy:
- She stole her father’s shotgun.
- She brought the weapon onto school grounds.
- She ultimately abandoned the plan at the last second.
- She disposed of the evidence by sinking the firearm into a lake.
- She subsequently overcompensated by throwing herself into anti-gun-violence activism.
Why the "Twist" Isn't Really a Twist
Borgli attempts to use the provocateur playbook to shock the audience, but treating Emma's dark past as a "twist" is a bit of a misnomer. Because this revelation drops in the first act, it's not a third-act rug-pull; rather, it is the foundational premise of the entire movie.
Every meaningful interaction, tension, and action that follows is entirely predicated on the audience and the surrounding characters knowing what Emma almost did. Trying to discuss the movie's plot or themes without addressing this moment is virtually impossible.
Does the Provocateur Premise Actually Work?
While The Drama clearly wants to push boundaries, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Here is where the film falters:
- Shock Value Over Substance: The movie believes its central premise is deeply provocative, but it struggles to actually say anything meaningful about the glamorization of violence, teenage radicalization, or redemption.
- Tonal Whiplash: Shifting from an edgy A24 comedy into the heavy, traumatic reality of school violence is a jarring pivot. When "edgelord comedy" tries to tackle a subject this grim, it requires a masterful, delicate touch—which The Drama ultimately lacks.
The Verdict: While the performances from Zendaya and Robert Pattinson are bound to generate buzz, the film itself leans too heavily on a shock-factor premise that it doesn't quite know how to unpack.
Have you seen 'The Drama'? Did Emma's confession shock you, or did the movie's attempt at dark comedy fall flat? Let me know in the comments below!