The Drama

What’s it about?

In the final stages of planning their wedding, a couple’s seemingly perfect lives are thrown into turmoil when one partner reveals a shocking secret.

The facts

• Directed by Kristoffer Borgli (Dream Scenario, Sick of Myself)
• Stars Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Alana Haim, Mamoudou Athie, Hailey Gates
• English language
• Runtime: 105 minutes

Why did it get this rating?

This film was classified by Te Mana Whakaatu, Classification Office. You can find out more about classification process and ratings here.

Violence and content that may disturb

• A character reveals a disturbing secret that becomes a central theme of the film (for detailed information on this, see more in the spoilers section near the bottom of this page).
• Blood is depicted streaming from the ear of a character on two separate occasions.
• Two occupants of a car crash are depicted with bloodied, bleeding faces.
• A severed ear lying in the grass flashes on-screen for a second.
• A character is briefly depicted smoking heroin. This becomes a topic of conversation amongst other characters who are disapproving.
• A character is headbutted in the face leaving him bloodied and bruised.
• A character offers to “beat up” a woman. This isn’t taken seriously.

Offensive language

Characters also use coarse and offensive language such as “sh*t”, “f**k” and “f**king” in conversations. This language is used to heighten intensity or during moments of frustration or stress.

The words “b*tch”, “pu**y”, and “c*nt” are used in a derogatory manner.

Sexual material

Characters are depicted having sex or attempting to have sex.

Intercourse, masturbation and oral sex are implied by positioning and movement.

A character voices displeasure when he is slapped by his partner during sex.

There are undetailed references and conversations about topics such as love, sex, and infidelity. The word “f*cking” is used to mean sex. A friend jokingly asks his friend if he ‘f*cked’ a dog.

! Spoilers ahead !

The topic of mass/school shootings is a central theme of the film. A character confesses that as a teenager, they planned to carry out a mass shooting at their school but bailed at the last minute.

There are flashbacks and visual memories that depict the teenager planning the shooting, including practicing with a gun at home and in the woods, and attempting to make a farewell video on their computer.

There are brief, undetailed discussions about a separate off-screen shooting at a mall. In a flashback scene, high school students undergo grief counselling as a fellow student is killed.

The aftermath of an imaginary mass shooting at a wedding reception is very briefly shown. People scramble for safety and those who have been shot are depicted with bloodied clothing.

There are images from a coffee-table book in which models pose with guns.

Helplines:

Some of the themes if this film could be upsetting for viewers. If you are struggling with what you have seen on-screen please reach out for help. If you or someone you know needs to talk:

• 1737
• Safe to talk
• Lifeline
• Youthline

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?