and 's latest film The Drama is facing major backlash after viewers from early screenings were left stunned by a 'disturbing' plot twist.
The pair star in the dark rom-com as a newly-engaged couple whose wedding is derailed when a jaw-dropping secret is revealed.
But ahead of the film's release on April 3, the central twist that is the focal point of the film has been revealed, with its nature shocking many fans who got an early glimpse of the film this month.
The admission sparks a huge rift in Zendaya's character Emma's relationship with fiancé Charlie, played by Robert, as he questions whether he has ever really known his bride-to-be.
The twist sees Emma confess that she once planned a school shooting when she was a teenager but never went through with it, after being grilled by fans to confess the 'worst thing she's ever done.'
Those who attended early screenings are thought to have shared concerns the film is trying to 'humanise' school shooters. The film also does not include a 'trigger warning'.
Zendaya and Robert Pattinson's latest film The Drama is facing major backlash after viewers from early screenings were left stunned by a 'disturbing' plot twist
School shootings remain a prominent issue in the US, with over 150 such incidents reported between 2023 and early 2025.
Tom Mauser, whose son Daniel was among 13 students killed at the Columbine high school shooting in 1999, has also blasted the 'awful' move to put the topic on such a prevalent pedastal in the film.
He also told TMZ that he was shocked the topic of a school shooting would be a good fit for a romantic comedy, and he was particularly irked by Zendaya's attempts to laugh off the topic on Jimmy Kimmel's talk show last week.
Tom went on to not that he encourages anyone who has considered such violent to seek help from a therapist, and reiterated that the subject should not be used for entertainment.
'What's difficult about even talking about the movie is there is so many different genres [in it],' Zendaya said during her Jimmy Kimmel appearance.
'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.'
Jimmy went on to note that the film was going to 'cause a lot of problems for a lot of people,' but didn't reiterate further on the twist.
A24, the studio behind the film, has opted against hosting wide screenings ahead of The Drama's release in a bid to keep spoilers under wraps.
Despite concern from some about the twist, reactions to a screening were prodominantly positive.
The pair star in the dark rom-com as a newly-engaged couple whose wedding is derailed when a jaw-dropping secret is revealed
After early screenings of the film, some shared their reaction on social media, with the film's embargo set to be lifted on Tuesday
Posts on X included: 'mlfao Zendaya being a mass shooter in #TheDrama is one of the craziest and weirdest twists in modern cinem;
'The Drama is totally unexpected - even if you think you know what you're getting into. But what's NOT a surprise? Zendaya and Robert Pattinson are dynamic and I'm obsessed with them together.
'This is a thought-provoking, conversation-starter of a movie;'
'Kristoff Borgli's #TheDrama is a wildly unconventional rom-com that hit all the right spots for me. Deeply funny and definitely a little twisted, Zendaya and Robert Pattinson are great as an engaged couple whose lives spiral after a big secret drops.
'There's a wild turn that sends the story in unexpected directions, but the real payoff is everything that follows. Sharp writing, slick editing and a story in unexpected directions, but the real payoff is everything that follows.
'Sharp writing, slick editing and a story that's ultimately about holding onto love when things get messy. Top-tier dark comedy imo.'
However, one have more concerns of the film, saying: 'The Drama wallows in sensationalism that feels deeply disrespectfil to school shooting victims.
'Fixated on aestheticising trauma, reducing complex, and almost exploitative spectable. Zendaya, well you really cannot expect anything from him, he's a mediocre actor.'
Several filmmakers have tacked the topic of school shootings in the past, with Gus Van Sant's Elephant winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes after being inspired by the Columbine tragedy.
Michael Moore's documentary on the shooting also won an Oscar that same year, and earlier this month, All the Empty Rooms won the Academy Award for documentary short.
It comes after Robert recalled how he 'spiraled hard' when it came to filming a major scene in The Drama.
'On The Drama, for instance, there's that big scene when I'm giving a speech to you - the amount of times where I feel like I'm totally insane...' he said during their recent piece in Interview Magazine.
The Batman actor continued, 'I can feel something so deeply and I'm trying to explain it to a director or anybody around me and no one understands.'
Zendaya replied, 'I remember you kind of spiraled hard about that scene, but where you and Kris [Borgli] landed was really beautiful,' referencing to the movie's director.
'But I think I would agree with you. I'm not always the best at articulating or expressing myself either,' she added.
Zendaya's partner Tom Holland, who is rumoured to have tied the knot with her - has also voiced his support for the film.
In a recent Instagram post he uploaded to promote the project, he wrote: 'I honestly couldn't be more excited for you to see this movie and believe me when I say it's gonna floor you. Get your tickets now!'
