The Drama criticised over ‘misleading’ marketing campaign: “We expect better”

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Warning: contains discussion of gun violence

I just heard that the new movie The Drama, with Robert Pattinson and Zendaya, is getting some heat from March for Our Lives. Apparently, they’re concerned about how gun violence is portrayed in the film. The movie is about a couple planning their wedding, but things get complicated when the bride lets slip a big secret!

The movie trailer doesn’t show what Emma (Zendaya) is hiding, instead showing what happens after the secret is out.

Viewers of the film will recall that Emma admits she once planned a school shooting as a teen. She even brought a gun to school, but ultimately didn’t follow through with the plan.

March for Our Lives posted on Instagram that the film’s advertising minimized the serious issue of gun violence.

While the movie tries to explore important themes of responsibility and transformation, the way A24 is promoting it doesn’t reflect those ideas.

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Given the gravity of this topic, particularly in the American context, simply showing the conversation on screen isn’t enough. The film’s overall presentation needs to reinforce the message as well.

Art often tackles tough topics using humor or by challenging our comfort levels. However, when something as serious as a school shooting is made to seem trivial or ironic, it forces us to ask: what message is this trying to convey, and what discussion is it intended to spark?

The creators of the film say it’s meant to start discussions, and we certainly hope it does. However, because this topic affects so many people in America, it’s important to guide those conversations towards positive outcomes, rather than simply trying to cause a reaction.

When artists with such a strong cultural impact create a film, expectations are naturally very high. Unfortunately, the marketing for this movie doesn’t match the film’s actual themes and message. We anticipate a higher standard from both A24 and the creative team involved.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jackie Corin, a co-founder of March for Our Lives and a survivor of the 2018 Parkland shooting, explained that gun violence – especially in schools – isn’t simply a plot point for entertainment.

Art can help us understand the world and feel things more deeply, but it can also oversimplify or even misrepresent reality, particularly when it relies on stereotypes or tries to make difficult truths easier to accept.

When reporting on a close call like a potential school shooting, even subtle choices in wording can make a story feel helpful and respectful, or uncaring and dismissive.

The Drama is out now in cinemas.

The latest issue of Living Legends, a beautiful 100-page, full-color tribute to Sir David Attenborough, is now available! You can purchase it at newsstands or online.

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2026-04-08 00:20