‘The Drama’: Zendaya Can’t Rescue This Cultural Faux Pas

“The Drama” is an example of a foreign film director attempting to tell a uniquely American tale but being largely tone-deaf to American culture and sentiment.
‘The Drama’: Zendaya Can’t Rescue This Cultural Faux Pas
Charlie (Robert Pattinson) and Emma (Zendaya) in "The Drama." A24
Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson
Film Critic
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R | 1h 45m | Comedy, Drama | 2026

“The Drama,” starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, is the story of a pending marriage that’s shaken to the core when one partner, during a parlor game of “Tell everyone your worst secret,” reveals something extremely disturbing about her past.

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Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson
Film Critic
Mark Jackson is the senior film critic for The Epoch Times and a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. Mark earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Williams College, followed by classical theater conservatory training, and has 20 years' experience as a New York professional actor. He narrated The Epoch Times audiobook "How the Specter of Communism Is Ruling Our World," available on iTunes, Audible, and YouTube. Mark is featured in the book "How to Be a Film Critic in Five Easy Lessons" by Christopher K. Brooks. In addition to films, he enjoys Harley-Davidsons, rock-climbing, qigong, martial arts, and human rights activism.