In the busy time leading up to their wedding day, Emma (Zendaya) and Charlie (Robert Pattinson) go to a wine tasting appointment with their best friends Rachel (Alana Haim) and Mike (Mamoudou Athie). After a little too much to drink, a game of "what's the worst thing you've ever done?" is suggested. Although none of the stories are particularly innocent, Emma's story shocks everyone much worse than expected. It changes the entire dynamic of the friends, and especially Emma and Charlie. The film spends time with them as they talk and try to hash through these new feelings, while attempting to keep their wedding-related appointments. (A visit to the photographer is particularly cringy.)
Written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli (Dream Scenario), The Drama is a fairly astute exploration of emotions and social anxieties, even if it escalates in a comically awkward way. I wish more of the characters spent more time actually listening to Emma, or considering why her story provoked such a strong response, while the others did not, but I suppose we wouldn't have had a movie that way.
The 4K release from A24 includes a Dolby Atmos audio track and optional English and Spanish subtitles. There's a commentary track by costume designer Katina Danabassis, production designer Zosia Mackenzie and co-editor Joshua Raymond Lee. Bonuses include "Unpacking the Drama" (17:16), "Wardrobe Test" (4:52), "Relationship Hotline Promo" (10:12), and a "wedding video" (1:00).
