Gun Violence Organizations Criticize ‘The Drama’s “Misaligned” Marketing Campaign

by

A new film from A24, called The Drama, is sparking controversy. While A24 is known for thought-provoking movies that often win awards, some critics believe this one goes too far. Directed by Kristoffer Borgli and starring Robert Pattinson and Zendaya, the film is being accused by critics and activist groups like March for Our Lives of trivializing and even making fun of school shootings.

The movie centers on Emma and Charlie, who are just a week away from getting married, when they start sharing their biggest regrets. Charlie confesses to bullying someone online as a teenager, but Emma reveals a much darker secret: she once planned a school shooting and even brought a gun to school. The rest of the film follows them as they deal with this shocking revelation and how it affects their relationship and the lives of those around them.

Before the movie came out, March for Our Lives posted a statement on Instagram criticizing how it was being advertised.

The group’s statement reads:

While the movie seems to be tackling important issues like responsibility and progress, the way A24 is promoting it doesn’t reflect that depth. Given the sensitive and serious nature of the subject matter, particularly in the United States, the discussion can’t stop with the film itself. The presentation of the film needs to continue that conversation. We recognize that art can be challenging and even use humor to address difficult topics, but treating something like a school shooting with levity or irony brings up a crucial question: what kind of dialogue is this film actually trying to create?

I recently spoke with Jackie Corin, one of the founders of the group and a survivor of the Parkland shooting, and she voiced some real concerns about the movie. She explained that she’s worried about getting the story right – and understandably so. Dealing with something so sensitive requires a lot of care and understanding, and it’s tough to capture all the nuance in a film.

Corin pointed out that portraying gun violence, especially in schools, shouldn’t be done simply for dramatic effect. While art can help people understand and connect with difficult issues, it can also oversimplify or misrepresent them, particularly when it aims to make a story more easily digestible. Even subtle choices in how a story about a near-miss school shooting is told can determine whether it feels meaningful or dismissive of the issue.

This story is developing…

Read More

2026-04-06 20:47