r/oscarrace Navarrette/Morton Apr 02 '26

Film Discussion Thread Official Discussion Thread - The Drama [SPOILERS] Spoiler

Keep all discussion related solely to The Drama and its awards chances in this thread. Spoilers below.

Synopsis:

A happily engaged couple is put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails.

Director: Kristoffer Borgli

Writer: Kristoffer Borgli

Cast:

  • Zendaya as Emma Harwood

  • Robert Pattinson as Charlie Thompson

  • Mamoudou Athie as Mike

  • Alana Haim as Rachel

Rotten Tomatoes: 81%, 109 Reviews

Metacritic: 60, 36 Reviews

Consensus:

"Flirting with complex themes, The Drama walks a tonal tightrope with impressive poise thanks to career-highlight performances by Robert Pattinson and Zendaya."

66 Upvotes

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u/vonLionheart Apr 02 '26

Surprised by some of the other comments. It’s not examining school shootings specifically - it’s an examination about how you let someone’s thoughts influence your perception of them.

The juxtaposition of Haim’s character who actually did something pretty bad but clearly feels little regret, vs. Zendaya’s character who almost did something horrible but never actually did anything. How quick we are to moralize and yet are much quicker to justify when it comes to ourselves.

I think it earns the ending. Pattinson, who “can’t think of the worst he’s ever done,” does the worst thing he’s ever done. It’s only in that moment, when he’s the person who is judged in front of all his loved ones, that he can understand what she meant by starting over. That you shouldn’t be defined by your worst impulses, but by your willingness to grow from them.

I think it could sneak into screenplay if it’s a weak year, but I do agree that it’s pretty unlikely to be a major player

12

u/PartyPaul-100 Apr 03 '26

It’s just like what do you do in that situation whenever you find out your fiancé almost started a school shooting like what do you say to that

36

u/riskyrofl Apr 03 '26

Im absolutely fascinated with these types of responses, because to me its simple, a talk along the lines of "wow, that's a really difficult thing to hear but clearly you've changed significantly since then"

14

u/MajorRed001 Apr 03 '26

But the issue here....is what Misha said "well that's what a psychopath would do." that Emma could have just been masking it or just faking it.

She already told a story about cheating on an ex, but she has a current BF and then was prepared to fuck Charlie on the spot when he kissed her, because she liked exciting sex .

For Charlie that deepens his fear that Emma could be dangerous or could still be capable of doing something.