Zendaya and Robert Pattinson's New Film 'The Drama' Sparks Major Controversy Over Plot Twist
The upcoming A24 film The Drama, starring Hollywood stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, has ignited significant controversy and backlash ahead of its scheduled theatrical release on April 3. The dark romantic-comedy, which has been heavily promoted in recent weeks, faces condemnation from Tom Mauser, the father of a Columbine High School shooting victim, over its central narrative revelation.
Columbine Victim's Father Expresses Disgust at Film's Plot Device
Tom Mauser, whose son Daniel was among the thirteen people killed in the 1999 Columbine massacre, has publicly denounced The Drama after learning about its plot twist through media reports. Mauser, who has been a prominent advocate for gun reform for twenty-five years since the tragedy, told TMZ that he finds the film's use of a school shooting plot element "awful" and deeply problematic.
In the film, Zendaya's character Emma confesses to her fiancé Charlie, played by Robert Pattinson, and their circle of friends that she once planned a high school shooting during her youth but ultimately never carried it out. This revelation serves as the dramatic pivot point around which the rest of the narrative unfolds.
Mauser argued that the film "humanizes" potential killers and "normalizes" the concept of school shootings by using such a serious, real-world tragedy as mere plot device in what is marketed as a romantic-comedy. He expressed particular disappointment with how the subject matter has been handled in promotional appearances, specifically citing Zendaya's March 16 interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live! where she discussed the "big twist" without what he considered appropriate gravity.
Promotional Appearances Add Fuel to Growing Controversy
During her appearance on the popular late-night talk show, Zendaya encouraged audiences to avoid spoilers for The Drama, stating: "I really hope that people don't spoil it for each other so they're allowed to go into it just unknowing and really experience the drama." When host Jimmy Kimmel suggested the film might "cause a lot of problems for a lot of people in their personal lives," Zendaya responded that "those conversations can go many ways."
In an official press release about the film, Zendaya elaborated further on the narrative's intentions: "There's going to be a lot of interest around what Emma's big revelation is in the movie, and while I think that revelation is important and pivotal, it's about so much more than that. What happens to Charlie and Emma in the wake of her confession becomes the ultimate test of love and acceptance in a relationship, and what you're willing to do in the name of love."
Film's Creative Team and Production Details
The Drama is directed by Norwegian screenwriter and filmmaker Kristoffer Borgli, who previously directed the 2023 comedy Dream Scenario. The ensemble cast features not only Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in the lead roles, but also includes Alana Haim, Mamoudou Athie, Hailey Gates, and Zoë Winters in supporting parts.
The controversy emerges just days before the film's scheduled wide release, with early screenings having already generated discussion among audiences about the appropriateness of its central plot device. A24, the independent entertainment company behind the film, has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding Mauser's criticisms or the growing public debate surrounding the movie's content.
As the April 3 premiere date approaches, the film finds itself at the center of a cultural conversation about artistic representation of traumatic real-world events, the responsibilities of filmmakers when handling sensitive subject matter, and the ongoing impact of school shooting tragedies on victims' families more than two decades after events like Columbine.
