‘Whatever happened to no spoilers?’: Backlash of ‘The Drama’ proves we need to rein in spoiling plot points online

• (No spoilers ahead!) 

  The Drama follows a happily engaged couple (played by Zendaya and Robert Pattinson) whose lives unravel in the lead-up to their wedding after one of them makes a shocking revelation to the other. The film’s promotional campaign has essentially promised that this reveal will be provocative. The entire trailer, for instance, hinges on this moment when Zendaya’s character reveals to her fiancé the worst thing she’s ever done over dinner with another couple. From there, the marketing has suggested that this scene serves as a point of no return for the couple and for the film itself.

• 
  via @PopBase

• The actual reveal of what Zendaya says was largely kept under wraps until the film began early screenings just weeks prior to its April 3rd release. Soon after these screenings, news outlets like The Guardian and BBC began to report about growing backlash against this plot device and its sensitive subject matter. Many film lovers, like myself, were disappointed to see these articles widely circulated online without proper spoiler warnings or disclaimers. Even thinly-veiled headlines made it easy to read between the lines. Could these outlets not have waited until after the film’s theatrical release to weigh in on potential discourse? Many of us have yet to see the film, but have already been told what to think.

  There is a reason why some apps like Letterboxd include a built-in disclaimer to note whether or not a particular movie review contains spoilers. That way, audiences who want to browse reviews for a film can be spared from big plot reveals without having to worry. It’s time for our largest social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok, etc.) to follow suit. I have had way too many key plot points spoiled for me at this point. There are, of course, reasonable scenarios in which discussing spoilers openly online is justifiable. However, until it becomes easier to avoid spoilers online, consider thinking twice before revealing a plot twist, especially when the movie isn’t even out yet!

• When is it OK to Spoil Something?

  Before we dive into all the drama about The Drama, let’s discuss when folks should be able to speak freely about a shocking plot twist online. These days, it’s not uncommon to want to turn to the internet to decipher meaning from an ending or to learn more about the choices that were made in a piece of art. For pop culture fans, Twitter/X, Instagram, and TikTok have become some of the go-to destinations for discourse, critiques, and memes. Naturally, it’s inevitable that fans will stumble upon a spoiler or two, and on many occasions, these fans don’t have reason to be upset.

• If a film is based on widely documented true events, then people should be able to discuss spoilers freely without having to give a disclaimer first. Ryan Murphy’s recent FX limited series Love Story is a popular, albeit sensationalized, depiction of the tragic romance between Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. When actress Daryl Hannah wrote an opinion piece in The New York Times critiquing the show’s inaccuracies, the controversy was widely circulated on social media. Given that the show was attempting to portray real-life events from three decades ago, viewers should not have been outraged to have various aspects of the plot spoiled for them as a result of this controversy.

• 
  via @nytopinion

• Furthermore, it should be acceptable to discuss big spoilers long after a show has ended. If you haven’t watched Breaking Bad yet and you complain about learning what happened to Walter White prematurely in 2026, that’s on you, my friend. We are well past the unofficial statute of limitations on spoilers for a series that ended in 2013.

  Finally, if a film or show has been out for at least a month, you should not have to worry about providing a disclaimer. Audiences deserve some kind of grace period to catch up. We all have busy schedules, and we shouldn’t have to be afraid to go on Instagram because of something as silly as spoilers. This is not to say that people can’t refer to or discuss something as soon as it’s out in the world. You can talk about whether or not an artistic choice worked for you without getting into details. However, if you must get into specifics, warn us beforehand or use an app like Letterboxd that will provide spoiler warnings for you!

• How The Drama Sparked Backlash Before it Came Out

  When the trailer for The Drama was first released, audiences were clearly informed that this film would contain major spoilers. The idea behind this marketing tactic was a clever way to drum up anticipation for the project. Those who were aware of director Kristoffer Borgli’s previous work (Dream Scenario, Sick of Myself) might also have guessed that this twist would likely be provocative. This is an artist who enjoys imbuing his narratives with biting social commentary. There is no question that Borgli knew what he was doing when he was crafting the film. To that end, A24 knew what it was doing when they were marketing it.

• 
  via @nschager

• Still, the filmmakers were probably not expecting backlash from outraged individuals before it was even released. Of course, it’s important to note that some of the individuals who have spoken out have a right to be upset about the film’s subject matter, given their personal connections to the material. That being said, my frustration is with the various news outlets and social media influencers who jumped at the chance to weigh in and create discourse over a work of art that most people have yet to see for themselves. 

  We can absolutely have a productive cultural conversation as to whether or not the subject matter portrayed in The Drama was appropriate. But give the rest of us a chance to digest the material at face value and form our own opinions first! Anyone who believes audiences have the right to consume art on their own terms should take care about what they write, share, and/or spoil online. This is especially true when the people sharing these spoilers are professional critics and journalists who should know better. It’s time to bring back spoiler warnings, people! 

• 
  via @FilmUpdates

Tags