The Drama Movie: Controversy Over Art and Tragedy

The dark romantic comedy The Drama, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, has faced significant backlash from gun violence survivors and advocates following the release of its plot twist. The film, which premiered in theaters on April 3, 2026, centers on a couple whose wedding plans are jeopardized after they reveal the worst things they have ever done.

The controversy stems from the revelation that Zendaya’s character, Emma, planned a school shooting when she was 15 years old. According to the film’s plot, she did not carry out the attack because another mass shooting occurred, which foiled her plans. This information is disclosed during a parlour game involving the couple and two friends.

Criticism from Survivors and Advocates

Gun safety advocates have described the film’s approach to school shootings as exploiting a crisis. Mia Tretta, a Brown University student and gun violence prevention advocate with Everytown, expressed dismay after learning the plot details. Tretta is a survivor of two school shootings: one in 2019 at her high school in Santa Clarita, California, and another in December 2025 at Brown University.

A character planning a school shooting isn’t something that should be joked about – it’s a reality that me and hundreds of thousands of others live every day

Mia Tretta

Tom Mauser, whose son Daniel was killed in the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, also criticized the filmmakers. Speaking to TMZ, Mauser described the use of such subject matter within a romantic comedy as awful and argued that the movie humanizes shooters and normalizes the act of school shootings.

Production and Cast Responses

The film was written and directed by Norwegian filmmaker Kristoffer Borgli and produced by A24. During an appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel show, Zendaya addressed questions regarding the film’s twist, noting that the movie blends multiple genres.

What’s difficult about even talking about the movie, is there is so many different genres [in it]. It is a romantic comedy in many ways but it’s also a drama.

Zendaya

Zendaya added that the film’s twist leads to various conversations for audiences after they leave the theater.

Additional Controversies Surrounding the Director

Beyond the film’s subject matter, director Kristoffer Borgli has faced scrutiny over his personal history. On March 26, 2026, a resurfaced essay published via The Hollywood Reporter detailed Borgli justifying a relationship he had with a 16-year-old girl when he was 27 years old.

In the essay, Borgli referenced the age of consent in Norway, which is 16, while discussing the social disapproval associated with large age gaps in relationships.

The film held its Los Angeles premiere at the DGA Theater Complex on March 17, 2026, prior to its general theatrical release on April 3, 2026.