The Drama, A24’s buzzy new drama starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, is facing criticism over the big reveal at the heart of its narrative.
Warning: This article contains major spoilers for The Drama, which comes out in theaters April 3.
The film, which has been promoted as a dark romantic-comedy, has sparked controversy ahead of next week’s release after TMZ reported that the movie’s twist rubbed audience members the wrong way at early screenings.
In the movie, Zendaya’s character Emma confesses to her fiancé, Pattinson’s character Charlie, and their friends that she once planned a high school shooting but never went through with it.
Tom Mauser, whose son Daniel Mauser was shot and killed among 13 others in the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School, told TMZ that he is disgusted by the movie’s twist.
Mauser, who has advocated for gun reform for the past 25 years, told the outlet that it is “awful” to use the serious subject as a plot device in a romantic comedy. The father, who has not seen the movie, said it “humanizes” shooters and “normalizes” school shootings. No mass violence is depicted in the movie.
He was particularly upset about Zendaya’s March 16 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, in which Mauser said she did not treat what she called the “big twist” with enough gravity.
The Euphoria actor said on Kimmel: “I really hope that people don’t spoil it for each other so they’re allowed to go into it just unknowing and really experience the drama.”
Kimmel said, “I could see this movie causing a lot of problems for a lot of people in their personal lives,” and Zendaya responded: “Those conversations can go many ways.”
A24 declined to comment on Mauser’s remarks.
The film is directed by Norwegian screenwriter Kristoffer Borgli, who is known for directing the 2023 comedy Dream Scenario. In addition to Zendaya and Pattinson, the movie also stars Alana Haim, Mamoudou Athie, Hailey Gates and Zoë Winters.
Zendaya said in a press release about the film: “There’s going to be a lot of interest around what Emma’s big revelation is in the movie, and while I think that revelation is important and pivotal, it’s about so much more than that.
“What happens to Charlie and Emma in the wake of her confession becomes the ultimate test of love and acceptance in a relationship, and what you’re willing to do in the name of love.”
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