Zendaya and Robert Pattinson‘s latest film, The Drama, is under scrutiny for its promotional strategy that conceals a significant plot twist.
Warning: Spoilers for The Drama below.
The Drama tells the story of Charlie (Pattinson) and Emma (Zendaya), an engaged couple on the brink of marriage. In the days leading up to their wedding, they and their friends reveal their deepest secrets. While the trailer hints at Emma’s revelation causing shock, the specifics remain undisclosed.
The movie, released on Friday, April 3, uncovers that Emma once contemplated a school shooting as a teenager but chose not to follow through.
The revelation of the twist has sparked backlash against the film’s cheerful, wedding-themed marketing, with critics arguing that the serious nature of the plot should be addressed more thoughtfully.
Zendaya and Pattinson have attended numerous press events for the film, with Zendaya donning bridal attire that reflects the tradition of “something old, borrowed, new, and blue.” Their interviews often focus on themes of marriage and weddings, leading some to believe the film was marketed as a straightforward romance or comedy.
Promotional activities for The Drama also included a social media campaign styled like a traditional wedding invitation and a temporary wedding chapel in Las Vegas in March.
On Thursday, April 2, the gun control advocacy group March for Our Lives criticized the film’s marketing for not addressing the sensitive subject matter.
“The film may be attempting to engage real questions about accountability and change, but A24’s marketing does not meet it there,” the organization stated via Instagram. “With a subject this serious, especially in the U.S., that conversation cannot begin and end on screen. It has to carry through in how the film is presented.”
Alyson Michalka and AJ Michalka, known as the duo Aly and AJ, echoed these sentiments in the comments section of the March for Our Lives post. The sisters, having survived a mass shooting at one of their concerts in 2022, stated, “The marketing made us sick when we found out the plot twist.”
Other viewers also criticized The Drama for not being upfront about the twist.
“Thank you for this ‘spoiler.’ It is marketed as a cute rom com. I was going to see it. If I had found out this plot point in the theater I would have walked out,” one fan commented. “This is not casual conversation. Now I will not be going to see this. Do they give any sort of warning about this plot point in the opening credits or anything?”
One viewer commented, “Bro, it’s about a girl who planned a school shooting? All of the marketing has been like a young adult rom com. Wtf?”
While some criticized the film’s approach, others defended it.
“I definitely don’t think it was ever labeled as a romantic rom com. And I also don’t think the plot is not far off from how a lot of kids may have felt/feel,” one user commented. “It brings awareness to the societal context we are raising our children in.”
Another retorted, “You people are so anti art it’s insane. Sometimes art has to make you uncomfortable.”
Us Weekly has reached out to A24 for comment.
The Drama is now playing in theaters.
