The Drama

Perhaps honesty isn’t always the best policy after all, as the lovebirds in The Drama discover in a most unfortunate way, when a revelation irrevocably changes the tone of this initially playful romantic comedy and the courtship within it.

Simultaneously, this offbeat relationship saga from Norwegian director Kristoffer Borgli (Dream Scenario) evolves into a subversive probe of redemption, forgiveness, perception, and commitment, with an exaggerated what-if scenario that thrives on discomfort.

The film opens with an awkward meet-cute in a Boston coffee shop, where Charlie (Robert Pattinson) approaches Emma (Zendaya), telling a white lie about sharing her affinity for reading that she misses because she’s deaf in one ear.

He’s neurotic yet artistic. She’s impulsive yet insecure. Still, they develop an appealing chemistry and rather quickly prepare for a wedding that seems appropriate — at least until one very bad decision threatens to erode their trust and fracture their bond forever.

It happens while sampling potential dinner and drink options for the reception with best friends Rachel (Alana Haim) and Mike (Mamoudou Athie). Collectively, they decide to go around the table and confess the worst thing they’ve ever done.

Emma goes all-in with a whopper, perhaps stemming from residual trauma, that causes everyone in the group, including Charlie, to see her in a different light with the ceremony just around the corner. “She’s obviously not the person you thought she was,” Mike insists.

As they try to keep up appearances through the big day, the anxiety and apprehension intensifies beneath the surface.

Borgli’s uneven screenplay is designed to push buttons first and foremost, and those efforts become more manipulative in the over-the-top final act.

There’s also a misguided attempt to generate hard-earned sympathy for its hopelessly scarred characters, which somewhat undermines the ability of this acerbic satire to become more socially relevant.

Still, there’s an almost compulsive allure to watching this trainwreck unfold — studying how one moment, or in the case an unearthed secret — can forever alter the dynamics of a couple. Suddenly the film becomes layered with guilt, regret, uncertainty, and hostility, as it explores whether it’s possible to ever fully shed burdens from your past.

Straddling a line between exploitation and provocation, The Drama skillfully shifts our loyalties, challenges our boundaries, and toys with our emotions. As you laugh and cringe, it also shakes you to the core.

Rated R, 106 minutes.