Zendaya's The Drama sparks outrage over school shooting plot ahead of release
A new dark comedy film, The Drama, has sparked controversy ahead of its April 3 release. The A24 production features a plot point involving a school shooting, drawing criticism from families affected by the 1999 Columbine massacre. The film stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson but has already faced backlash before its debut.
The film centres on a character played by Zendaya who reveals during a game that she once planned a school shooting but never carried it out. No actual violence is shown—only the discussion of an abandoned plan. Despite this, the subject matter has upset survivors and victims' families.
Tom Mauser, whose son Daniel was killed in the Columbine High School massacre on April 20, 1999, has spoken out against the film. He called the portrayal 'disgusting' and criticised Zendaya's involvement, arguing it humanises the issue of school shootings. The Columbine attack, carried out by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, left 13 students and a teacher dead and triggered national debates on gun control. The film's distributor, A24, has not yet responded to the criticism. *The Drama* is set to premiere as scheduled, though its reception remains uncertain.
The controversy highlights the sensitivity surrounding depictions of school shootings in entertainment. With no official statement from A24, the debate over artistic freedom and respect for victims continues. The film's release date remains unchanged for now.
