The Drama

Tropic Sprockets by Ian Brockway

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From A24, the film studio that excels in producing domestic fear, comes “The Drama” by director Kristoffer Borgli (“Dream Scenario”). Though hyperbolic and a bit outrageous in its darkness, the film is carried by the strong performances of Robert Pattinson and Zendaya. Its paranoid tone, heavily influenced by filmmaker and producer Ari Aster (“Midsommar”) still maintains a spirited and apprehensive film even though it only seems to hit one note of dread.

Charlie (Robert Pattinson) and Emma (Zendaya ) are about to get married. They are both excited and happy.

One night at a pre-wedding dinner, best couple Rachel (Alana Haim) and Mike (Mamoudou Athie) convince Charlie and Emma to disclose their most scandalous moments in a kind of truth or dare game. When Emma speaks things are shocking indeed and it ceases to be any game or laughing matter.

Everyone is blanched and speechless. Rachel is stricken by the revelation. Mike doesn’t know what to say. Charlie, for his part, does his very best to laugh it off and excuse it through Emma’s inebriation but fear and mistrust gnaw at him.

Oppression has entered the romance.

Tension like a pestilence in the air is both nameless and ubiquitous.

Charlie feels especially duped by the vile and violent disclosure but strives to forge ahead. Emma also agrees too embarrassed by her planning to do otherwise.

Charlie is messy and unkempt; he becomes haunted like someone harassed, pursued by a demon. In palpable angst like an 18th century Romantic poet, he tears at his hair and gnashes his teeth.

In a photography session the couple freezes as if stuck in a cloud of ice.

During an outing, they happen to see their upcoming wedding DJ (Sydney Lemmon) smoking crack on the sidewalk. Another bad omen.
Nevertheless they manage to press on or at least attempt to do so.

The plot is very like Ingmar Bergman for the millennial set (a poster for Bergman’s “Passion“ is on the apartment wall) yet there is also a bit of mystery here to keep you guessing.

The hysteria reaches a melodramatic fever pitch, but it is justified.

Zendaya gives her strongest performance yet even if you might like to do without her projectile vomiting.

Robert Pattinson, for all his teeth grinding night sweats, goes all out in keeping with his daring performances; he always takes chances.

The sardonic and grim finale is not quite satisfying for a resolution, bringing to mind films like “After Hours” and “Falling Down.” This is one bloodied man pushed to his limit.

Despite “The Drama” being an angst-ridden cousin to filmmaker Bergman, the film still contains brave surprise.

Write Ian at ianfree11@yahoo.com