Zendaya, Pattinson Film Sparks Gun Violence Debate

A24's dark comedy "The Drama," featuring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, is generating significant controversy for its sensitive subject matter. The film, directed by Kristoffer Borgli, explores the mindset of individuals contemplating tragic events.

The movie's plot involves Emma (Zendaya) and Charlie (Pattinson), whose upcoming wedding faces turmoil after Emma reveals she planned a school shooting in her youth but did not carry it out. This narrative choice has drawn sharp criticism from gun violence survivors and activists.

Jackie Corin of March for Our Lives, a Parkland shooting survivor, described the film as an "inevitable evolution in storytelling" given the frequency of school attacks. However, she cautioned that art can distort reality, especially when dealing with sensitive themes like near-school shootings, emphasizing that tonal choices can significantly impact audience perception.

Mia Tretta, a survivor of a 2019 school shooting, stated that characters planning such events should not be subjects of jokes. Corin acknowledged that humor can be a coping mechanism for grief but noted its jarring effect on those directly affected and young people who live in fear of school violence.

Concerns have also been raised about the casting of high-profile actors like Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. Corin highlighted that their star power could inadvertently normalize or lend a "cool factor" to the idea of planning a shooting, potentially reaching audiences who might not otherwise engage with the issue.

The studio's decision to conceal the film's shooting theme from its marketing has also been a point of contention. Journalists at advance screenings were instructed not to reveal the plot point, leading to criticism that this approach hinders audience understanding of the film's intent and the cast's motivations.

Critics like Richard Lawson noted that while the disclosure of Emma's past doesn't alter the film's core themes of pre-wedding jitters, it adds a layer of social inquiry. Corin expressed hope that Zendaya and Pattinson would use their platforms responsibly during press tours to discuss gun violence, questioning if the film's execution matches the gravity of the issues it presents.