Zendaya and Robert Pattinson star in A24’s The Drama, releasing April 3, 2026. Watch the first trailer and explore the chaos behind their troubled wedding week.
A24 has officially set April 3, 2026, as the release date for one of next year’s most anticipated films: The Drama, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. Directed by Kristoffer Borgli, the film has already begun generating buzz thanks to its newly released first trailer — a stylish, unsettling, and emotionally charged preview of what promises to be a wild ride through love, chaos, and unraveling relationships.
The film follows a seemingly happy, newly engaged couple, Emma Harwood (Zendaya) and Charlie Thompson (Pattinson), whose carefully planned wedding week begins to fall apart spectacularly. Their love story, which looks picture-perfect on the outside, is pushed to its limits when an unexpected and deeply personal crisis triggers emotional mayhem.
A Trailer That Sets the Tone for Mayhem
The trailer wastes no time setting up the tension simmering beneath the couple’s flawless exterior. It opens with Emma and Charlie standing stiffly in front of a photographer, who immediately senses something off. Their expressions are forced, their posture awkward, and the space between them feels symbolic of something larger.
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When the photographer gently probes their relationship by asking each of them to describe what they love most about the other, the film cuts into a montage of their everyday life. Pattinson’s Charlie, soft-spoken and earnest, calls Emma “beautiful,” “funny,” and claims she has “the best life.” Emma returns the sentiment by calling Charlie “caring, understanding, and open-minded.”
But Borgli uses one striking moment to shatter the calm: the word “open-minded” drops just as Emma slaps Charlie across the face during sex — a jarring, comedic, and telling flash of their unconventional dynamic.
This unexpected humor laced with emotional volatility is exactly what audiences have come to expect from A24’s distinctive brand of storytelling.
A Wedding Week Spiraling Out of Control
As the trailer builds momentum, things become increasingly chaotic. Mamoudou Athie appears making a heartfelt toast at the wedding. An alarm blares in a dimly lit hallway. Charlie hurls a chair across the room in frustration. Emma takes a long, desperate swig from a bottle of brown liquor. Moments of romance crash into sharp edges of discomfort and confusion.
The final shot shows Charlie insisting, “Just some drama,” as if he’s trying to convince himself everything is fine.
It’s clear that the film will explore the pressures and secrets lurking beneath modern relationships — a theme director Kristoffer Borgli has masterfully handled in past projects like Dream Scenario. His signature blend of dark humor and emotional insight seems to fit perfectly with A24’s bold storytelling style.
A24 Teases Fans With “Wedding of the Year” Announcement
To build anticipation, A24 posted what appears to be a printed Boston Globe wedding announcement for Emma and Charlie on Instagram. This clever piece of in-universe marketing adds depth to the film’s characters and hints at how well-established their world is.
The announcement describes Emma as the daughter of a decorated military veteran, raised in Louisiana, and a graduate of Boston University with a degree in English. Charlie, meanwhile, holds a Ph.D. in art history from Tufts University and is the director of the Cambridge Arts Museum.
These details suggest that the film will not only dive into their romantic troubles, but also examine issues of upbringing, ambition, and social expectations — all of which could amplify the cracks forming between the couple.
A Star-Studded Cast With Serious Range
In addition to Zendaya and Pattinson, The Drama features:
- Mamoudou Athie
- Alana Haim (best known for Licorice Pizza)
- Hailey Gates
This ensemble of actors known for emotional nuance and dry comedy indicates that the film may balance intensity with lighter moments — something A24 projects excel at.
Zendaya, coming off major successes like Dune and Euphoria, continues to expand her genre range. Pattinson, who has consistently taken on unconventional roles after The Batman and The Lighthouse, seems the perfect partner for a messy, character-driven story like this.
Why The Drama Already Has Major Buzz
A24 has a reputation for launching some of the most talked-about films in modern cinema, and The Drama fits squarely into its wheelhouse. Here’s why anticipation is already sky-high:
1. A Magnetic Lead Duo
Zendaya and Pattinson together onscreen is a casting dream — striking chemistry meets emotional volatility.
2. Kristoffer Borgli’s Unique Voice
His ability to blend surreal humor with raw emotional tension ensures a fresh take on relationship drama.
3. A24’s Unmistakable Style
Every project from the studio comes with a promise: smart storytelling, bold visuals, and something to talk about afterward.
4. A Premise That Feels Real and Relatable
Wedding stress, emotional expectations, and hidden tensions are universal experiences — just amplified to cinematic levels.
Looking Ahead to April 2026
As more details and scenes emerge from The Drama, fans can expect a film that explores modern love with brutal honesty and surprising humor. Zendaya and Pattinson’s performances already look electrifying, and the trailer suggests audiences will be taken on an emotional roller coaster.
Mark your calendars:
The Drama hits theaters April 3, 2026.
And if the trailer is any indication, the wedding of the year might also be the meltdown of the decade.