In an interview with TMZ, Tom Mauser expressed strong disapproval of 'The Drama,' labeling its plot twist as 'awful.' The film, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, features a character played by Zendaya who reveals she planned a high school shooting as a teenager but did not follow through at the last minute. Mauser, who has been vocal about gun violence prevention since his son's death at Columbine, argued that such topics should not be used for entertainment purposes. He specifically stated that Zendaya's character 'humanizes' shooters, a portrayal he finds problematic given real-world tragedies like Columbine. Mauser emphasized that individuals who have considered violent acts but refrained should seek therapy rather than see their experiences dramatized in movies. He hopes the film does not trivialize the pain of victims' families, though it remains unknown how other Columbine families or advocacy groups have reacted to the plot twist.
Zendaya discussed the film on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where she described it as a romantic comedy in many ways but also a drama. She noted the difficulty in categorizing the movie due to its blend of genres, suggesting it defies simple classification. Meanwhile, Jimmy Kimmel commented on the potential impact of the film, describing it as likely to cause problems for people in their personal lives, though he did not specify details. These remarks highlight early concerns about the film's reception, but the broader public or critical response following early screenings has not been widely reported, and it is unclear if filmmakers plan to address Mauser's criticisms.
Yeah, yeah, very possible. Absolutely. Those conversations can go... many ways.
'The Drama' is a romantic black comedy set for theatrical release on April 3. The plot twist centers on Zendaya's character's revelation about her past, though the exact nature of the twist beyond this revelation, as hinted in trailers, remains unspecified. Representatives for Zendaya and A24 were contacted by Daily Mail for comment but did not immediately respond, leaving unknown what specific criticisms or responses they might have regarding Mauser's condemnation. As the release date approaches, the film's handling of sensitive themes continues to spark debate, with stakeholders awaiting further reactions from the industry and audiences.
That's the thing. What's difficult about even talking about the movie is that there is so many different genres. And I think it is a romantic comedy in many ways but it's also a drama.