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The Drama (2026)


The Drama is directed by Kristoffer Borgli known for Dream Scenario and Sick of Myself. The film feels determined to present itself as something profound and artistic. Borgli leans heavily into style and ambiguity, but the result is a movie that often feels more interested in appearing meaningful than actually being meaningful. The pacing is hurt by constant quick cuts between scenes, rarely allowing a moment to breathe or an emotion to settle. Just as a scene starts to build momentum, the film jumps somewhere else, making it difficult for any dramatic moment to land with the weight it deserves.

Zendaya, known for Dune and Challengers, plays her role with an extremely restrained approach. Unfortunately, the performance often feels one-note, with much of her emotional range limited to variations of frustration and disappointment. Whether this was a directorial choice or an acting one, it creates a distance between the character and the audience that the film never overcomes.

Robert Pattinson, known for The Batman and The Lighthouse, delivers the kind of performance audiences have come to expect from him. He brings commitment, charisma, and a willingness to lean into difficult material. The screenplay positions his character as hesitant to fully commit emotionally, which becomes a central part of the story. However, despite Pattinson's efforts, the chemistry between him and Zendaya never fully develops, making the relationship at the heart of the film difficult to invest in.

The film spends so much time exploring emotional uncertainty that it forgets to create emotional connection. The characters discuss feelings, analyze relationships, and drift through conversations, but the audience is rarely given a reason to care about the outcome. Combined with Borgli's rapid editing style, the result is a film that feels strangely detached despite being so focused on intimacy.

Overall, The Drama is a film with talented performers and clear artistic ambitions, but it struggles to turn those ambitions into an engaging experience. The lack of chemistry between its leads and the director's refusal to let scenes linger prevent the story from finding its emotional footing. The Drama spends so much effort trying to be profound that it forgets to be affecting. Result: C-

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