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Zendaya and Robert Pattinson‘s new movie, The Drama, is facing criticism for its marketing method while hiding the dark twist of the film.
Warning: Spoilers for The Drama below.
The Drama follows engaged couple Charlie (Pattinson) and Emma (Zendaya), who are gearing up to walk down the aisle. However, days before their nuptials, the pair and a group of friends get together and reveal the worst thing they’ve ever done. While it was teased in the trailer that Emma’s secret causes outrage amongst the group, details are not shared..
After the film hit theaters on Friday, April 3, it was revealed that Emma planned to commit a school shooting as a teenager but ultimately decided not go through with it.
Since details of The Drama’s twist have circulated online, many have condemned the film for its light-hearted and wedding-themed marketing plan, suggesting that the movie should be open and sensitive about the twist.
Zendaya and Pattinson have attended several press events together to speak about the film, in which the actress has worn bridal-themed outfits. For The Drama’s various premieres, she’s debuted looks that represent the timeless practice of something old, borrowed, new and blue for a bride. Both Zendaya and Pattinson have also been asked questions about marriage and weddings in multiple interviews, causing some to feel like the overall tone of the film has been marketed as a straight romance or comedy.
Additional promotional endeavors for The Drama have included a social campaign that used the style of a classic wedding invitation as well as a one-day wedding chapel in Las Vegas back in March.
On Thursday, April 2, gun control advocacy group March for Our Lives slammed The Drama’s marketing plan as the sensitive topic has not been addressed.
“The film may be attempting to engage real questions about accountability and change, but A24’s marketing does not meet it there,” the organization wrote via Instagram. “With a subject this serious, especially in the U.S., that conversation cannot begin and end on screen. It has to carry through in how the film is presented.”
Alyson Michalka and AJ Michalka, who make up the duo Aly and AJ, agreed in the comments section of March for Our Lives’ post. (The sisters survived a mass shooting outside one of their concerts in 2022.)
“Couldn’t agree more,” read a reply from the singers’ joint account. “The marketing made us sick when we found out the plot twist.”
Additional users also slammed The Drama for not being forthcoming about the twist.
“Thank you for this ‘spoiler.’ It is marketed as a cute rom com. I was going to see it. If I had found out this plot point in the theater I would have walked out,” one fan wrote. “This is not casual conversation. Now I will not be going to see this. Do they give any sort of warning about this plot point in [the] opening credits or anything?”
Another person responded, “Bro, it’s about a girl who planned a school shooting? All of the marketing has been like a young adult rom com. Wtf?”
While some fans criticized the movie’s quietness about the plot, others defended it.
“I definitely don’t think it was ever labeled as a romantic rom com. And I also don’t think the plot is not far off from how a lot of kids may have felt/feel,” one user wrote in the comments. “It brings awareness to the societal context we are raising our children in.”
Another retorted, “You people are so anti art it’s insane. Sometimes art has to make you uncomfortable.”
Us Weekly has reached out to A24 for comment.
The Drama is in theaters now.
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