Actress Zendaya found herself at the center of emotionally intense moments while filming the upcoming dark comedy The Drama, with co-star Alana Haim revealing she repeatedly apologized to her between takes due to the demanding scenes.
In the film directed by Kristoffer Borgli, Zendaya plays Emma, a bride-to-be whose engagement to her fiancé Charlie, portrayed by Robert Pattinson, is thrown into turmoil following a shocking dinner-table confession.
Haim, who plays Emma’s outspoken maid of honor Rachel, described the experience of filming intense confrontation scenes as emotionally challenging. She admitted that shouting at Zendaya during takes made her feel guilty, often breaking character to apologize immediately after filming stopped.
“Cut, and then me being like, ‘I’m so sorry!’” Haim shared, highlighting the contrast between her character and her real-life personality.
The role marked a significant departure for Haim, who noted that her character’s aggressive and confrontational behavior was far removed from her own nature. She explained that stepping into such a role required her to tap into emotions she doesn’t typically express.
Her co-star Mamoudou Athie, who plays her on-screen husband, joked that she “beat him up” during filming, but praised her performance, saying she had the ability to “disturb the air in the room” and elevate the overall intensity of the scenes.
The story of The Drama revolves around a pivotal dinner scene in which Rachel pushes Emma to reveal her deepest secret. The revelation triggers a chain reaction of emotional fallout, threatening Emma’s relationship and leading to escalating conflict.
Despite the film’s heavy and dramatic themes, Haim revealed that the atmosphere on set remained lighthearted. She shared that the cast often found humor in between takes, even as they navigated emotionally charged performances.
Zendaya continues to maintain a strong presence in Hollywood, balancing major projects with her personal life. The Emmy-winning actress has previously spoken about her relationship with actor Tom Holland, calling him “my person” and describing their bond as a grounding force amid her busy career.
With major projects like Euphoria, Dune, and now The Drama, Zendaya continues to solidify her position as one of the most influential and versatile stars in the industry.
The Drama is set to release in theaters on Friday, April 3.