On April 3, the new A24 film “The Drama,” directed by Kristoffer Borgli, hit theaters. Robert Pattinson and Zendaya starred as Charlie and Emma, a Boston couple getting married and planning intensely for their wedding.

One night, while having dinner with their friends Mike, the best man, and Rachel, the maid of honor, they played a game asking each other what’s the worst thing they have ever done. Although the game starts lighthearted, Emma reveals a dark secret from her past, turning the game for the worse and leaving lasting effects on their relationship.

The marketing of the film attempted to portray Emma’s secret as a huge twist, building up speculation about what she would say. However, the disastrous events that follow matter more. Although the film has received some controversy for its very taboo subject matter, it approaches it in a careful, thought-provoking way, leaving one’s perception of Emma’s actions up for debate.

Since the worst thing she reveals had no visible consequences and happened 15 years ago when she was only 15, the viewer is left to question whether they should forgive Emma. It also makes Charlie question how well he actually knows the woman he’s about to spend the rest of his life with, and Emma doubts whether the other three will accept her for who she is.

As the aftermath of Emma’s reveal unfolds, we see a new perspective on each character through both flashbacks and the events that occur. We learn how Emma’s dark past came to be, while both characters look for validation after the incident.

Emma seeks acceptance for who she is, hoping she won’t be defined by her past after Mike and Rachel act venomously toward her. Charlie, who doesn’t want to upend his future with Emma, questions whether it would be socially acceptable to stay with her. This helps build tension leading up to the wedding as the spouses seek approval, causing their relationship to falter. Not to mention, their relationships with others become problematic, making the story more enticing.

The editing is effective in providing depth to the characters while enhancing the movie’s comedic aspect. Reflecting on Charlie’s discomfort with what Emma did helps the viewer see the full scope of her past. Another strength of the film is the balance between the grounded and unsettling nature of their circumstances. Charlie and Emma’s relationship takes a toll, making every scene increasingly unnerving, but the absurdity is never overbearing. It always feels like it’s building toward a chaotic climax, but it’s never too over-the-top.

Along with the thought-provoking story, the writing makes the film very engaging in both how easy it is to buy into Charlie and Emma’s relationship and the stakes of their situation. All of the conversations feel natural. As a dark comedy, it works very well that the film plays on the awkwardness of the twist without being disrespectful toward the subject matter. Characters make many references to Emma’s past, making things more uncomfortable and unsettling for the couple.

Zendaya and Pattinson offer great performances, and their connection makes the film thrive. Their chemistry at the beginning of the film makes them feel like an awkward but charming couple. However, as the film progresses, it becomes clear that they are both infatuated with the idea of each other rather than their true selves, and as a result, they don’t know each other as well as they thought they did. The performances are nuanced enough to sell this idea, and the supporting performances are strong as well.

The main issue with the film lies in how the social commentary conflicts with the moral dilemma. Borgli, who directed the surrealist horror-comedy “Dream Scenario,” is no stranger to social commentary. “Dream Scenario,” which explores a man who appears in people’s dreams across the globe in unsettling ways and faces consequences for it, takes a look at the dangerous nature of “cancel culture.”

“The Drama” attempts to explore similar ideas on a smaller scale within personal relationships, but the moral complexities that the film tries to establish prevent the commentary from being fully explored. Rachel’s personal connection to the secret’s subject causes her to repress Emma, and generally, she tends to weaponize any victimhood she can claim. It becomes easy to completely vilify Rachel, especially since the worst thing that she shared was harmful, which becomes an issue when the film tries to approach the incident with a morally ambiguous edge, with no one fully in the right.

Nonetheless, “The Drama” is an excellent dark comedy that features an engaging script and great performances. It is an entertaining film that explores the fragility that can exist in modern relationships and asks the viewer to confront how one’s past defines who they are now. It is easily one of the best films of the year so far and is definitely worth watching in theaters.

Rating: 7.5/10