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The Drama poster
8.2
Square Peg / A24

The Drama

The Drama is a 2026 romantic black comedy written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli. The 105-minute A24 film stars Zendaya as Emma Harwood and Robert Pattinson as Charlie Thompson, an engaged couple whose wedding week is...

2026 105 min
Critic8.2
Romance Black Comedy Drama
HBO Max Apple TV Apple TV Prime Video
Trailer Where to Watch

Overview

A happily engaged couple sees their wedding week spiral into chaos when an unexpected revelation forces them to question trust, forgiveness and whether they truly know each other.
Story 8.0
Acting 9.2
Direction 8.5
Cinematography 8.3
Music 8.2
Pacing 7.8
Originality 8.8
Emotional Impact 8.5
Overall 8.2

Editorial Review

By FindEdition Cinema Desk

8.2 /10

Why it is trending now

The Drama is currently in the U.S. Apple TV movie top 10 and is approaching a reported July 31 HBO Max release, creating fresh searches around where to watch and streaming availability.

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson

The film depends on the escalating discomfort between Emma and Charlie, with both performances shifting rapidly between romance, embarrassment, anger and uncertainty.

A wedding week under pressure

Kristoffer Borgli uses wedding preparation as a pressure chamber, letting one revelation destabilize the couple's plans and relationships.

A24's provocative marketing

The engagement-themed campaign deliberately presented the movie as a polished romantic event before audiences discovered its darker black-comedy direction.

Pros

  • Confirmed 105-minute runtime
  • Strong performances from Zendaya and Robert Pattinson
  • Distinctive uncomfortable black-comedy tone
  • Commercial success for a $28 million A24 film
  • Fresh Apple TV and HBO Max search momentum

Cons

  • The central revelation is deliberately provocative and divisive
  • The film's uncomfortable tone may frustrate viewers expecting a conventional romance
  • Some audiences may find the second half emotionally abrasive
Verdict A deliberately uncomfortable relationship black comedy powered by Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, with fresh traffic potential from its Apple TV chart position and upcoming HBO Max window.

AI Review

The Drama is a 2026 romantic black comedy written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli. The 105-minute A24 film stars Zendaya as Emma Harwood and Robert Pattinson as Charlie Thompson, an engaged couple whose wedding week is destabilized by an unexpected revelation. The film has grossed approximately $123 million worldwide on a reported $28 million budget and is currently in the U.S. Apple TV movie top 10.

A deliberately uncomfortable relationship black comedy powered by Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, with fresh traffic potential from its Apple TV chart position and upcoming HBO Max window.

Recommended for Zendaya, Robert Pattinson and A24 viewers who enjoy provocative relationship dramas and dark comedy.

Timeline

Release Date
Theatrical Date
Digital Date
Premiere
Status
Development

A24 developed The Drama with Kristoffer Borgli writing and directing and Square Peg producing.

Lead Casting

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson entered talks to lead the film in 2024.

Supporting Cast

Mamoudou Athie and Alana Haim joined the ensemble alongside additional supporting performers.

Principal Photography

Principal photography began in the United Kingdom on October 21, 2024.

Boston Filming

Production filmed scenes with Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in Boston's Back Bay and Beacon Street areas.

Marketing

A24 launched an unusual engagement-themed campaign before releasing the first teaser trailer.

Premiere

The Drama premiered in Los Angeles on March 17, 2026.

Theatrical Release

A24 released the film in the United States on April 3, 2026.

Digital Release

The film became available for digital purchase on May 5, 2026.

Current Digital Momentum

The Drama entered the U.S. Apple TV movie top 10 on July 14 while anticipation built for its reported July 31 HBO Max release.

Production

Development

A24 developed The Drama with Kristoffer Borgli writing and directing and Square Peg producing.

Lead Casting

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson entered talks to lead the film in 2024.

Supporting Cast

Mamoudou Athie and Alana Haim joined the ensemble alongside additional supporting performers.

Principal Photography

Principal photography began in the United Kingdom on October 21, 2024.

Boston Filming

Production filmed scenes with Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in Boston's Back Bay and Beacon Street areas.

Marketing

A24 launched an unusual engagement-themed campaign before releasing the first teaser trailer.

Premiere

The Drama premiered in Los Angeles on March 17, 2026.

Theatrical Release

A24 released the film in the United States on April 3, 2026.

Digital Release

The film became available for digital purchase on May 5, 2026.

Current Digital Momentum

The Drama entered the U.S. Apple TV movie top 10 on July 14 while anticipation built for its reported July 31 HBO Max release.

Streaming

HBO Max Apple TV Apple TV Prime Video Prime Video Google Play YouTube

Cast

Zendaya Emma Harwood
Robert Pattinson Charlie Thompson
Alana Haim Rachel
Mamoudou Athie Mike
Hailey Gates Misha
Zoë Winters Frances
Hannah Gross Alice
Sydney Lemmon Pauline
Anna Baryshnikov Sam
Michael Abbott Jr. Blake
Damon Gupton Roger
Jordyn Curet Young Emma

Characters

Emma Harwood Zendaya
Charlie Thompson Robert Pattinson
Rachel Alana Haim
Mike Mamoudou Athie
Misha Hailey Gates
Frances Zoë Winters
Alice Hannah Gross
Pauline Sydney Lemmon
Sam Anna Baryshnikov
Blake Michael Abbott Jr.
Roger Damon Gupton
Young Emma Jordyn Curet

Crew

Kristoffer Borgli Director
Kristoffer Borgli Writer
Ari Aster Producer
Lars Knudsen Producer
Tyler Campellone Producer
Arseni Khachaturan Cinematographer
Joshua Raymond Lee Editor
Kristoffer Borgli Editor
Daniel Pemberton Composer

Videos

Official Trailer

Soundtrack

  1. Original Motion Picture Score — Daniel Pemberton

Trivia

  • The Drama has a runtime of 105 minutes.
  • Kristoffer Borgli wrote and directed the film.
  • Zendaya plays Emma Harwood and Robert Pattinson plays Charlie Thompson.
  • Principal photography began in the United Kingdom in October 2024.
  • Zendaya and Robert Pattinson also filmed scenes in Boston's Back Bay area.
  • A24 promoted the movie with a mock engagement announcement placed near a newspaper romance-advice column.
  • The film opened to approximately $14.3 million domestically.
  • The Drama crossed $100 million worldwide in April 2026.
  • The film has grossed approximately $123 million worldwide against a reported $28 million budget.
  • The Drama ranked tenth on the U.S. Apple TV movie purchase and rental chart on July 14, 2026.

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AI Recommendation Insight

The Drama is a 2026 romantic black comedy written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli. The 105-minute A24 film stars Zendaya as Emma Harwood and Robert Pattinson as Charlie Thompson, an engaged couple whose wedding week is destabilized by an unexpected revelation. The film has grossed approximately $123 million worldwide on a reported $28 million budget and is currently in the U.S. Apple TV movie top 10. Similar picks: Shared Cast