A film with strong performances and big ideas, “The Drama” almost reaches its full potential, but uneven storytelling keeps it from fully delivering on its emotional and moral weight.

The movie follows Emma, played by Zendaya, and Charlie, played by Robert Pattinson, a couple about to get married. Emma and Charlie are seemingly perfect for one another until the worst thing Emma has ever done is exposed. Once this happens, the couple’s relationship begins to crumble as both of them question what it means to be a bad person.

  Zendaya and Pattinson’s chemistry in the movie is phenomenal, one of the movie’s biggest strengths. In one scene, the couple is practicing their wedding dance and both actors do a great job of creating a strong romance that is felt off the screen. 

“The Drama” asks a few big moral questions taking the audience on a journey of wondering what people deem as the worst ‘sin.’ At times, this idea gets a little lost, especially when the film leans too heavily into shock rather than reflection. Some moments feel like they are trying to provoke instead of fully exploring the emotional consequences. Still, the central question remains strong enough to carry the story forward.

Emma’s secret is a very shocking, controversial action that she was going to do as a teenager but ultimately does not go through with it. Charlie then reckons with the idea that Emma may not be the person he knows at all. “The Drama” seems to be asking the audience if people can change and how far can a person go before we will not forgive them. 

Zendaya does a great job of getting the viewer to sympathize with her character. She is really having a huge year in her career with a bunch of big movies coming out including “The Odyssey” and “Dune 3.” Emma’s character is extremely distraught but also wants to move on and Zendaya showcases this amazingly with simple facial expressions and different changes in tone. 

Most of the movie follows Pattinson’s character spiraling trying to decide if he wants to marry Emma. This makes him do things he would have never done before as the audience watches him slowly break. Both Pattinson and Zendaya allow the audience to question and contemplate what we deem as morally good or wrong in our society. 

Rachel, played by Alana Haim, is Charlie’s friend’s wife and she is probably one of the most annoying characters on-screen in a while. Haim does a great job of portraying a hypocritical, annoying character. Rachel is the instigator in “The Drama” and gives audience members that voice of unforgiveness and ‘black and white’ way of thinking. 

Kristoffer Borgli, a Norwegian filmmaker, is the director but has been getting a lot of backlash due to an essay he wrote 10 years ago about age-gap relationships. Borgli is known for talking about controversial and uncomfortable conversations specifically in his most popular film “Dream Scenario” starring Nicholas Cage. That same discomfort is present in “The Drama,” as Borgli clearly is not afraid to push audiences into morally gray areas and leave them without clear answers.

Overall, “The Drama” is not always perfect in its execution, but it succeeds in making viewers think. It leaves people questioning their own definitions of right and wrong long after the credits roll, which ultimately feels like its biggest strength.