The Drama (2026)

Seriously, what on earth is Pattinson getting worked up about the entire movie? He seems reasonably convincing next to Alaina Haim's character, who acts completely insane and unreasonable, but I couldn't follow Pattinson for a single moment either. It's also a good thing the direction shows he's struggling with something, because his performance itself is rather flat. But his behavior otherwise is really weird. And so, fortunately, the film isn't long, but it managed to captivate me less and less. Occasionally weird playing with sound (it probably has to do with Emma's condition, but it was mainly distracting in the film). The film might have had a point if Zendaya had shot everyone at the wedding at the end, but not even that. 1.5*.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Excellent film in which a couple reveals something to each other on the eve of their wedding. An original story that also manages to captivate. The staccato editing takes some getting used to at the beginning, but it contributes to the film's somewhat awkward yet funny atmosphere. Good acting from the entire cast, and Robert Pattinson and Zendaya make a fine couple.

Translated from Dutch · View original

The Drama is a similar type of film to Borgli's previous one: the beginning is interesting because it seems to fly off in all directions and you don't quite know what you're watching, but as soon as it becomes clear what the film is about—always a topical social issue—the film becomes monotonous and preachy, yet is simultaneously saved by the humor and the skillful plot in which the (slightly too long) unrolled thread is neatly coiled up again. In this case, it concerns the question of whether someone can change and thus deserves a second chance: that is a topical theme because the internet stores all your youthful indiscretions and its algorithms anticipate your behavior based on what you have done in the past, so that you remain stuck with your old identity, which in the film takes the form of an ethical dilemma—can you still trust someone who was wrong? Based on my life experience, I certainly believe that people can grow out of youthful problems, so I found the endless dwelling on that youthful indiscretion difficult to follow, and in that respect, I found the film increasingly less interesting. But after the expected climax at the wedding, the film manages to wrap things up well by (as before) establishing the connection with drama, just like the film itself: life is like a dramatic play – especially for those who love drama – that you should be allowed to redo if it goes wrong the first time, so that a stalled romantic relationship also deserves a second chance.

Translated from Dutch · View original

More psychodramedy. Interpersonal relationships and the issues within them are well portrayed based on the fact that everyone experiences their own truth within a given situation and applies their own filters over it. The limitation to the freedom of one's own thinking is created by one's own internal unprocessed (trauma) issues. The 180° turn that takes place says something about the inner strength that a person carries within. The fact that confrontation can be so intense that mental well-being is affected is excellently portrayed by Pattinson, with Zendaya holding her own and ultimately both relying on the greatest strength there is... Love. 3.7*

Translated from Dutch · View original