New A24 Drama Sparks Outrage Over Controversial School Shooting Revelation
A24’s highly anticipated new drama, reportedly titled The Drama, starring Hollywood heavyweights Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, is finding itself at the centre of a significant controversy. The film, which is slated for a theatrical release on April 3rd, has drawn sharp criticism from victims’ families and gun reform advocates over a pivotal plot twist revealed in early screenings.
Promoted as a dark romantic-comedy, the movie’s narrative has ignited debate before its widespread release. Reports, including those from TMZ, suggest that the film’s central twist has deeply unsettled audiences during early viewings.
At the heart of the controversy is a confession made by Zendaya’s character, Emma, to her fiancé, Charlie (played by Pattinson), and their friends. Emma reveals that she once harboured intentions of carrying out a high school shooting, though she ultimately did not act on these plans.
This storyline has been met with profound distress by Tom Mauser, whose son Daniel Mauser was tragically killed, along with 12 others, in the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School. Mauser, who has dedicated the past 25 years to advocating for gun reform, expressed his disgust to TMZ, calling the use of such a sensitive subject as a plot device in a romantic comedy “awful.”
While the film itself does not depict any acts of mass violence, Mauser voiced concerns that the narrative could inadvertently “humanise” perpetrators and “normalise” the grim reality of school shootings.
Mauser’s particular disappointment was directed at Zendaya’s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on March 16th. He felt that the actor did not treat the film’s “big twist,” as she referred to it, with the appropriate gravity. During the interview, Zendaya expressed her hope that audiences would experience the film’s drama without spoilers, saying, “I really hope that people don’t spoil it for each other so they’re allowed to go into it just unknowing and really experience the drama.”
Jimmy Kimmel acknowledged the potential for the film to be divisive, stating, “I could see this movie causing a lot of problems for a lot of people in their personal lives.” Zendaya responded with a more nuanced view, suggesting, “Those conversations can go many ways.”
A24 has thus far declined to provide comment on Mauser’s remarks.
Behind the Scenes: The Director and Cast
The film is helmed by Norwegian screenwriter Kristoffer Borgli, known for his work on the 2023 comedy Dream Scenario. Alongside Zendaya and Pattinson, the cast features Alana Haim, Mamoudou Athie, Hailey Gates, and Zoë Winters.
In a press release regarding the film, Zendaya elaborated on the significance of Emma’s revelation. She stated, “There’s going to be a lot of interest around what Emma’s big revelation is in the movie, and while I think that revelation is important and pivotal, it’s about so much more than that.”
She continued, “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.” This suggests that the film aims to explore the complexities of relationships and commitment in the face of profound personal revelations, rather than solely focusing on the controversial confession itself.
The controversy surrounding The Drama highlights the delicate balance filmmakers must strike when addressing sensitive real-world issues. As the film prepares for its wider release, the debate over its narrative choices is likely to continue, prompting important conversations about representation, responsibility, and the impact of storytelling on societal perceptions.
