https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/mar/25/the-twist-in-robert-pattinson-zendaya-romcom-the-drama wrote:Backlash mounts over twist in Robert Pattinson Zendaya romcom The Drama
Disquiet aired over the subject matter of film about a couple whose engagement is upended after they reveal to each other ‘the worst thing you’ve ever done’
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The film, which is written and directed by Norwegian director Kristoffer Borgli, is a dark romantic comedy starring Robert Pattinson and Zendaya as a couple whose upcoming wedding is cast in doubt after she reveals that she once planned a school shooting, but backed out at the last moment.
Her character discloses the information while playing a parlour game with Pattinson and two friends, in which they are encouraged to say “the worst thing you’ve ever done”.
Speaking to TMZ, Tom Mauser, whose son Daniel was among 13 students killed at the high school shooting in Colorado in 1999, said he feels the leveraging of such subject matter for a romantic comedy is “awful”. Mauser, who became an advocate for gun reform in the wake of the massacre, added that he was concerned by Zendaya’s response to seriously framed questions about the twist on the Jimmy Kimmel show last week.
“What’s difficult about even talking about the movie,” said Zendaya, “is there is so many different genres [in it]. It is a romantic comedy in many ways but it’s also a drama. Everybody has their own kind of feelings leaving the theatre, especially with the big twist. There’s so many conversations that are had after you watch it.”
To cast a star as beloved as Zendaya, said Mauser, “humanises” the perpetrators of such violence, and “normalises” the shootings – despite her character backing out of the attack, and no such violence being depicted.
https://www.tmz.com/2026/03/24/zendaya-the-drama-called-out-by-columbine-parent/ wrote:Mauser -- an outspoken gun reform activist ever since his son was murdered -- says he's completely floored that anyone would think a school shooting would be a good fit for a romantic comedy, even a dark one ... and tells us it's “awful” that of all the shocking twists to make someone rethink their partner … this is where the filmmakers landed.Gosh, could you imagine if there were movies where gun violence was depicted as entertainment? Bet he would really hate those.
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To be clear ... Mauser doesn't think anyone who has ever considered violence, but not gone through with it, should be condemned -- on the contrary, he's encouraging anyone who has had these ideations to go talk it out with a therapist. However, Mauser doesn't want it to be used for entertainment.
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