Directed by Kristoffer Borgli, A24’s “The Drama” is a divisive dark comedy that functions better as a surrealist horror film.

Zendaya shines as Emma Harwood opposite a charming Robert Pattinson as her romantic interest, Charlie Thompson. Their perfect chemistry anchors the film’s plot. Borgli, known for his 2023 film “Dream Scenario,” uses a fractured narrative to explore apathy and forgiveness in the aftermath of a terrible mea culpa.

The plot centers on Charlie’s attempt to reconcile the truth of his fiancée’s past.

Through this framework, the story navigates a taboo subject, examining the paralyzing effects of a society more interested in performative outrage than genuine rehabilitation.

Emma’s best friend, Rachel (Alana Haim), and Mike (Mamoudou Athie) support the main cast as the couple’s counterparts. Their performances elevate the film’s plot beyond a simple comedy into a full-blown dramedy.

Haim’s performance is a standout in particular; her character exudes hypocrisy, effectively establishing her duplicity.

These supporting characters find it easier to judge Emma than engage in self-reflection, exposing a double standard. The film tackles the dangerous consequences of this fake outrage, suggesting that a culture obsessed with judgment terrifies individuals away from seeking mental help.

“The Drama” employs the familiar A24 visual aesthetic, but its phenomenal sound design and sublime audio mix truly set it apart.

The film builds audible tension before monologues, transforming conversations into the auditory equivalent of bracing for impact before an accident.

This auditory weight effectively mirrors Emma’s perpetual anxiety. Thematically, the film initiates a conversation about how people process tragedies.

Editor Joshua Raymond Lee and Borgli masterfully wield a non-linear montage, jumping between action and aftermath, often skipping immediate reactions.

This mirrors how victims recall trauma through disjointed, visceral jump cuts. This narrative unpredictability creates a constant sense of dread, and Emma and Charlie’s progressively worsening grasp on one another questions the nature of their truths and the malleability of their morals.

Ambitious and deeply original, “The Drama” challenges the audience to reexamine its own complicity.

Despite its disorienting non-linear approach, the film’s stellar sound design and complex characters offer a haunting reflection on the limits of forgiveness. It is an unforgettable experience and highly recommended.

I rate out “The Drama” five out of five mustangs.