A provocative thriller described as “impressive” and “provocative” has quickly climbed to third place among Prime Video’s most-watched movies, just one day after arriving on the service. The Drama stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson as engaged couple Emma Harwood and Charlie Thompson. Their relationship takes an unexpected turn when they and two friends ask one another to reveal the worst thing they have ever done, prompting an admission that changes everything.

Directed by Kristoffer Borgli, The Drama was released by A24 and earned largely positive responses from both critics and moviegoers.

However, the film also sparked backlash over its shocking twist. Some viewers criticized the marketing campaign as “misleading,” arguing that much of the promotional coverage avoided revealing the true nature of its dark storyline.

The movie currently holds a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critics’ consensus stating: “Flirting with complex themes, The Drama walks a tonal tightrope with impressive poise thanks to career-highlight performances by Robert Pattinson and Zendaya.”

Reviews from individual critics have also reflected the film’s challenging subject matter. In its review, Salon wrote: “The Drama is not a tidy film from any angle. Its themes are extreme and uncomfortable. Its director’s past actions are more than questionable. But if audiences are willing to keep an open mind and engage with it, it will reward on a massive scale.”

Detroit News similarly praised the film’s willingness to embrace uncomfortable ideas, writing: “The Drama is the rare star-driven film that is willing to tackle big ideas, ask big questions and cause big discomfort. We need more of these movies, not less, messiness and all. Wedding season just got a lot more provocative.”

Filmspotting described The Drama as “shattering”, while AWFJ called it an “unforgettable” experience.

Zendaya and Pattinson’s performances have been a particular highlight across numerous reviews. The Observer noted: “Borgli’s sharp writing achieves a precarious balance of provocation and bad taste. And the craft of the picture is impressive. But the film’s wit, daring and overall success is largely owed to the formidable performances by Zendaya and Pattinson.”

On his podcast Kermode and Mayo’s Take, Mark Kermode described The Drama as “excruciating, but in a good way” — a reaction shared by many viewers who found the film deeply unsettling.

Meanwhile, Sight and Sound observed: “Committing to realism and relatability for the first time onscreen, Borgli keeps things accessible enough for us to wonder repeatedly what we’d do in Charlie’s place.”

The Drama is now streaming on Prime Video.

Source: Various