Zendaya’s Character’s Secret In ‘The Drama’ Examines How Well Couples Really Know Each Other

Given that Zendaya stars in the provocative HBO Max drama Euphoria, it shouldn’t come as a big surprise that she’s been willing to take on risky material in her career — and The Drama fits the bill.

In a pivotal scene in the film, Emma (Zendaya) and Charlie (Pattinson) are out with another couple, Rachel (Alana Haim) and Mike (Mamoudou Athie), when Rachel tells the bride- and groom-to-be that before she and her husband married, they confessed to each other the worst thing they have ever done.

After everyone details their previous misdeeds, Rachel shocked everyone by saying that she once considered committing a school shooting when she was a teen but ultimately abandoned her plans. Realizing that he doesn’t known Emma as well as he thinks he does, their relationship goes into a tailspin with their wedding a week away.

While Zendaya for obvious reasons avoided talking about the major plot twist in The Drama in interviews as the film made its way into theaters, she told Coup de Main Magazine in early April that there’s more to the film than the “important and pivotal” revelation by Emma.

“What happens to Charlie and Emma in the wake of her confession becomes the ultimate test of love and acceptance in a relationship, and what you’re willing to do in the name of love...,” Zendaya told Coupe de Main. “The Drama is an emotional rollercoaster without a clear-cut happy ending or resolution – every time I see it with family and friends, there’s a long conversation afterwards about Emma’s plight. You will have debates about love, acceptance, morality. There’s so much in the movie to talk about and wrestle with."

How Did Audiences And Critics Receive ‘The Drama’?

The Drama has to date earned $39.6 million in North America ticket sales and $31.6 million internationally for a worldwide box office tally of $71.3 million.

The Drama has earned a 77% “fresh” critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer based on 252 reviews.

RT’s Critics Consensus for the film reads, “Flirting with complex themes, The Drama walks a tonal tightrope with impressive poise thanks to career-highlight performances by Robert Pattinson and Zendaya.”

In addition, The Drama earned a 78% “fresh” Popcornmeter score based on 1,000-plus verified user ratings. RT’s Audience Summary for the film reads, “Elevated by remarkable performances, The Drama wrestles with questions of trust and forgiveness, drawing out profoundly uncomfortable emotions that linger long after the credits roll.”

The Drama, which is still playing in theaters nationwide, will reportedly arrive on PVOD on May 5.

April 23: This article has been updated with more information about "The Drama."