A quirky, feisty, modern soap opera drama with plenty of entertainment value.

While Charlie and Emma plan for their imminent wedding, and reflect on their life together, some unexpected truths emerge. While small, the consequential overthinking, doubt, and gossip threaten to ruin everything.

Writer/director Kristoffer Borgli brought us the unorthodox Dream Scenario in 2023 with Nicolas Cage. The Drama, starring Zendaya (Dune, Challengers) Robert Pattinson (Mickey 17, The Batman) and Mamoudou Athie (Jurassic World: Dominion) is a continuation of the writer/director’s quirky antics. It is a comedy at heart, but it does have some earnest emotions and real values throughout. It does a respectable job balancing these elements.

The story opens with the “meet-cute” that brought Emma and Charlie together. Well, manufactured meet-cute, perhaps. We see Charlie see Emma in a coffee shop, reading a book. When she briefly leaves the book, he searches the title online to learn about it, thus having a topic to talk about. Bit weird, bit creepy. But he flubs the encounter anyway. Despite this, Emma is taken by his British charm and disarming demeanour.

Ultimately, they have a loving relationship. Now, the two plan for their wedding with their best man and head bridesmaid. But as they do, an unspoken secret is shared that causes an emotional rift to form at the worst possible time. Can they repair the damage? Are there saboteurs working against their happiness?

The trailer doesn’t spoil anything, so I will endeavour to not spoil anything. There is a wedding planned, though… Nothing will go wrong, of course.

Zendaya (playing Emma) and Robert Pattinson (Charlie) are both hot ticket items at the moment. But unlike other films that maybe try to capitalize on the star power of names over actual chemistry, these two do sell the idea that they are a couple. They are both playful, happy, confident in each other. They live blissful lives while early wedding plans are being made. Breaking in dress shoes, choreographing dances. Wine tastings. This is something seen in Borgli’s Dream Scenario; well realized chemistry between the characters.
Also well realized in both films, is sexual tension.

Pattinson is channelling the same dorky energy he did in Mickey 17, only fully sending his British accent to boot. Zendaya is Zendaya, what’s not to like. But she is playing a multi-layered character here, and she delivers all the emotional beats wonderfully.

The two performances are really excellent. Our leads can deliver both loving affection, crippling sass and uncertainty, as well as devastation. The film’s story delivers all of these in spades. The schism that forms between them is painful to behold. A particularly provocative scene involves a photo shoot in which neither of them want to be there, with the photographer trying to cheer them into smiling. Exceptional facial acting from both actors.
The supporting cast are all great as well, especially Alana Haim who is positively punchable. While they deliver the hurdles and chicanes Emma and Charlie need to navigate, the couple cause their own problems. Which invariable leads to some comedic, and shocking, moments.

Basically, if you like gossipy dramas and social quagmires of self-doubt, betrayal, and tested loyalty, The Drama is for you. It has lashings of modern day talking points thrown in for good measure.

So it is all very good so far! But it had one issue for me, and it isn’t dissimilar to Dream Scenario. Perhaps Borgli writes stories in a certain way; but both films have ended in lacklustre, disappointing ways. For me, personally. Obviously, I won’t spoil it. But after all the titular drama, it felt like the air went out of the room.

Still, it is a very good adult comedy drama. Mostly for the two magnetic personalities at its centre delivering everything when necessary.