What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?
That’s the question that The Drama, written by Kristoffer Borgli, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, asks itself and the audience. Set in a modern world, we immerse ourselves in the lives of Emma and Charlie, an engaged couple, as they enjoy their final days as fiancés with Rachel and Mike, their best friends and a married couple. The piece begins with ongoing stressors of last-minute planning and preparations, which later flow into the late-night dinner that catalyzed the entire piece. During their meal, Mike and Rachel pose the question of “What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?”
Insisting on playing the game, each member at the table spoke about the atrocities they’ve committed: bullying, using someone as a human shield, locking a child overnight in a locker, and ultimately, nearly committing a school shooting. In this film, we see how each character reacts to the other’s experiences, and delve slightly into the psychology of committing such acts. Framing it in a way of creating a safe space, the film surrounds Emma, who confesses to nearly committing a school shooting, and how her partner and friends react and cope with this information.
The piece itself explores problems of identity, change, acceptance, and grief, and offers a beautiful depiction of what it means to be human. During the film, we see cultural commentaries about school shootings and the commonality of them in U.S culture. Although other series and movies have discussed this topic, such as 13 REASONS WHY and 22 JULY, they focus on committing the act and the consequences that follow. In The Drama, we see its consequences while experiencing its normalcy.
As our characters, like Rachel, have relatives who suffer permanent injuries due to being a victim, we very quickly understand that, much like the U.S. today, her character reflects on the decisions and violence that stem from its society. The film personifies the consequence of Emma’s possible actions by incorporating Rachel’s relative. Truly, this piece doesn’t have flashy videography or jaw-dropping moments like Project Hail Mary; however, what it does have is attainability. Its ability to feel real to its audience by creating “real” characters that anyone could play was the foundation’s strong suit, which was only enhanced by its cinematography. Additionally, The Drama blends the top and bottom stories of the piece, which escalates the tension through the constant back-and-forth.
Overall, what sets this piece apart is the characterization between Emma and Charlie. This story focused on the couple’s relationship and played very well into the nuances of loving someone. In a way, it makes the reader question what their own red flags are that they would tolerate from others, and what are absolute deal breakers. It gives the viewer a moment to think and analyze their response, which makes this film even more memorable.