Sharp and uncomfortable, its performances earn the tonal lurches.
Verdict tier Recommended, most critics liked it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
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Critic consensus
Critical reception for The Drama is broadly positive, with most reviewers appreciating its lead performances, which several describe as career-best or awards-worthy, and its willingness to explore human insecurity and difficult relationship dynamics with intelligence and discomfort. The film's tonal ambiguity and dark comedy drew praise from some critics as a strength, though a recurring concern is that these same qualities — jarring tonal shifts, non-linear editing, and staged set-pieces — can feel disconcerting or narratively unsatisfying. A handful of critics note that its absurdism and 'feel-bad' sensibility may limit its broader appeal, even as others consider it among the year's more provocative works.
3 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 8 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review
Helmed by its terrifically charismatic leads, with a script that in fact never loses sight of their ordinariness, The Drama woos you over one gentle step at a time. However, the non-linear cuts in the storytelling are jarring and disconcerting, and while the basic idea is strong, some set-ups seem staged more for laughs than real insight.
Top critic
Film review
Zendaya gives a career-best performance in this watchable film.
Film review
The Drama is a masterclass in cinematic discomfort, stripping away the glossy veneer of the modern rom-com to reveal a raw, pulsating nerve of human insecurity. Despite its prickly nature, The Drama is one of the most provocative and intelligent films of the year, a thorny exploration of the primordial desire for connection and the equally strong urge for destruction.
Film review
The Drama is messy but impossible to pin down, exploring love, relationships, and the fallout of difficult choices with compelling performances from its lead cast.
Film review
The Drama is what you can call a 'feel-bad' romance done right. Yet, it is precisely this ambiguity that makes the film a curious, chaotic affair, helped generously by Oscar-calibrated performances from Robert Pattinson and Zendaya.
Film review
The Drama's dark comedy lands, but its absurdism may not appeal to everyone.
Film review ·
This film is just one more brilliantly constructed and fascinating journey into his young filmography, a director/writer who is a true original and creator of entertainments that also have something pertinent to say about the human condition and the way we are. Exceptionally well-written with equal parts spice, vinegar, wicked wit, and wonder how Charlie and Emma can possibly survive this unexpected turn in their lives after one simple question and one complicated answer threatens to blow everything up.
Film review
The Drama delves into the unsettling complexities of relationships, challenging viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about love. I walked out feeling a little unsettled—not in the loud, dramatic way, but in that quiet, lingering way where something sits with you long after the screen goes black. It was dark, layered, at times deeply disturbing, yet somehow also calming.
Film review ·
'The Drama' attempts to balance dark comedy with uncomfortable social commentary, but the film's tonal shifts and last-minute revelations feel more jarring than enlightening, leaving viewers unsettled in ways that don't entirely serve the narrative.
Credits
ZendayaEmma Harwood
Robert PattinsonCharlie Thompson
Mamoudou AthieMike
Alana HaimRachel
Jordyn CuretYoung Emma
Hailey Benton GatesMisha
Michael Abbott Jr.Blake
Hannah GrossAlice
Sydney LemmonPauline
Zoë WintersFrances
Anna BaryshnikovSam
Dee NelsonJill
Damon GuptonRoger Harwood
Ken CheesemanAlan
Celia Rowlson-HallDance Instructor
Doria BramanteImogene
Jordan RafCarson
Jeremy LevickIvan
Greer CohenGrace
Michele ProudeSarah
Al WarrenCounselor (uncredited)English films like The Drama
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