Zendaya’s latest film, The Drama, arrived with sky-high expectations. The A24 project, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Kristoffer Borgli, promised a psychological thriller that would showcase the Emmy-winning actress in uncharted territory. But what audiences got instead has sparked one of the most heated debates of the year, centered entirely on a third-act twist that has left viewers divided.
The film, which also stars Robert Pattinson, follows a couple whose relationship begins to unravel in increasingly surreal ways. For its first two acts, The Drama played like a tense, atmospheric exploration of love, identity, and performance. Then came the reveal. Without spoiling, the twist recontextualizes everything that came before, and for some, that recontextualization lands as a stroke of genius. For others, it lands as a betrayal.
Social media lit up following the film’s premiere, with the hashtag #TheDramaTwist trending for days. Critics who praised the film’s audacity found themselves at odds with audiences who felt the pivot undermined the emotional investment built over the previous 90 minutes.
“It’s the kind of twist that demands a second viewing,” one critic wrote. “But only if you’re willing to forgive the film for lying to you.” Others were less measured, calling the reveal “a twist too far” that sacrificed character depth for shock value.
Zendaya herself has remained characteristically quiet on the discourse, though sources close to the production say she was drawn to the script precisely because of its willingness to take risks.
For A24, the studio behind genre-bending hits like Everything Everywhere All At Once and Hereditary, divisive reactions are nothing new. The studio has built its brand on backing unconventional visions. But The Drama represents a different kind of gamble, one that asks audiences to invest in a relationship only to pull the rug out from under them.
Box office projections remain strong, fueled by Zendaya’s loyal fanbase and the intrigue surrounding the controversy. But whether the film will have the cultural staying power of the studio’s previous hits is still very much an open question.
The Drama is a film that refuses to play it safe. For some, that refusal is exactly what makes it memorable. For others, it’s the reason it falters. One thing is certain: people are talking. And in an era where most films fade from conversation within a week, maybe that’s the point.
