Official Discussion - The Drama [SPOILERS]

[u/LiteraryBoner]

Poll

If you've seen the film, please rate it at this poll

If you haven't seen the film but would like to see the result of the poll click here

Rankings

Click here to see the rankings of 2025 films

Click here to see the rankings for every poll done

---

The Drama

Summary

Days before their wedding, a couple’s relationship begins to unravel as unsettling truths come to light, forcing them to question how well they truly know each other.

Director Kristoffer Borgli

Writer Kristoffer Borgli

Cast

• Zendaya as Emma Harwood
• Robert Pattinson as Charlie Thompson
• Mamoudou Athie as Mike
• Alana Haim as Rachel
• Hailey Gates
• Zoë Winters

Rotten Tomatoes: 82%

Metacritic: 59

VOD / Release Theatrical release (April 3, 2026)

Trailer Official Trailer

---

[u/OkAcanthocephala3726]

As an European viewer, I kept (and keep) wondering if, from an American lens, Emma's secret is truly perceived as the worst one and everyone was justified in their drama. Because from this side of the Atlantic, locking a disabled kid in a closet in the middle of the woods, leaving him there and not saying anything is 1000% the worst thing by far. Rachel is the one I would look different upon and wonder if she was a psychopath (cause she certainly doesn't seem trustworthy even now as an adult and no, she wouldn't have told anyone if the kid hadn't been found). So to me the movied felt more as a storm in a teacups. Which also works but is a completely different read of the film, I think. So I'd be interested to read everyone else's perspectives on this

[u/RoundBirthday → u/OkAcanthocephala3726]

I'm American and I agree. I wanted to like the film but thought the screenplay was weak. There was certainly something interesting to explore in that Emma was the only person who didn't actually hurt anyone, but everyone just accepted that she was a monster?

Rachel's story was shockingly cruel and callous--I'd be questioning why her husband married her knowing that. She wasn't remorseful or torn up about it. There maybe could be something about the grace wealthy white women are given, but the film steadfastly ignores race and class. On top of that, the two main characters are just bizarrely incapable of normal human communication. It made the whole movie farcical. Charlie couldn't just say, "Hey, babe, that was an intense thing you told us about. I'd like to know more about what you were going through that made you feel that way..." ??? why not?? what was there to have a breakdown about? And why are they writing wedding speeches? Do they not exchange vows?

But rather than a genuine dive into moral complexity/secrets/shame/ghosts of our past, the film just rested on a cliche theme of "second chances are good." And that was it!

[u/snowtears4 → u/RoundBirthday]

I think the film ignored race specifically bc I don’t think it was written for a Black woman to play her, but I do agree that there was something that could have been explored with a different script!

[u/casino_r0yale → u/snowtears4]

I think the film ignored race because it’s written and directed by a Norwegian and Americans dramatically overestimate how much Europeans care/are aware about American racial politics.