Direction: Kristoffer Borgli
Country: USA
Bold Norwegian writer-director Kristoffer Borgli, who previously generated meaningful emotional friction with films such as Sick of Myself (2022) and Dream Scenario (2023), stumbles heavily in his latest feature, The Drama. The plot follows the happy-turned-turbulent relationship between Emma (Zendaya) and Charlie (Robert Pattinson), which is shaken by a serious revelation. Its block-like, fragmented narrative and forced tension make almost every scene feel fabricated.
The messy script obsesses over judgment, fear, and fixation in increasingly ridiculous ways, while forgiveness and hope—introduced for a bogged-down feel-good finale—feel completely out of place.
The Drama is a humorless, mediocre, and laborious exercise that offers little of genuine interest. Borgli bites off more than he can chew and struggles to digest it. After all, sarcasm alone does not make a film.
