Well, I didn’t expect The Drama to go there. You didn’t/won’t either. And that’s part of the fun with this deliriously unkempt drama-comedy-romance starring Robert Pattinson and Zendaya.
The Drama, to be clear, is not for everyone. It’s the type of movie you’ll recommend to a friend and then, sometime later, they will hunt you down and go “What the hell was that and why did you suggest it to me?” Then again, just as likely, that friend will declare, “That was wild and I loved it.” Both statements are valid. Both should be expected.
Where the traditional rom-com thrives in slapstick humor and happiness, The Drama relies heavily on anxiety humor and dark cynicism. When the big reveal hits—and it hits hard, in a “wow, I can’t believe they went there” kind of way—your jaw will be on the floor or you’ll be laughing like I was. You know, the kind of laughter where you’re not sure if you actually find it funny or if you are just stunned and can’t come up with the appropriate emotion to express yourself.
Anyway.
The Drama then doubles down on that plot paint and tears at it like a Rottweiler to raw steak. A greyhound to a white rabbit. A jokester who doesn’t know when to let up. Or knows exactly when to twist the knife further.
One thing is for sure: Robert Pattinson is sensationally good here. His character is a pussy, an annoyingly sheepish dude who manages to fuck things up further at every turn. But Pattinson plays him absolutely brilliantly.
Zendaya is good too, but The Drama gives Pattinson most of the juicy stuff.
Then there is Alana Haim. Damn. She’s the physical incarnation of the twisting the knife metaphor.
Norwegian writer/director Kristoffer Borgli is maniacal behind the camera, relentlessly pushing his characters—and unwitting audience—into uncomfortable territory. Anxiety-inducing situations. Strained decisions that won’t end well. Strained decisions that lead to even worse ones.
The Drama culminates in one of the most awkward, strenuous, and uncomfortable wedding sequences put to film. The less said the better, but Borgli had my girlfriend and I squirming in our seats. Let it end. Let them make it through this thing. Why did they invite her. What is she going to say. Oh my god. Holy shit. You know, more uncomfortable laughter.
The Drama isn’t for everyone. It isn’t perfect, either. But goddamn if it isn’t one unpredictable and darkly funny piece of entertainment that has to be experienced at least once.
Review by Erik Samdahl. Erik is a marketing and technology executive by day, avid movie lover by night. He is a member of the Seattle Film Critics Society.