Alana Haim and Mamoudou Athie on Performing in “The Drama”: The Other Couple in This Complex Love Story

According to CinemaDrame News Agency, the latest controversial film by Christopher Borgli features passionate—and at times unsettling—performances from two rising stars, who spoke with IndieWire about the film’s major twist, their views on spoilers, and the joy of playing intoxicated characters.

At the heart of “The Drama,” there isn’t just one couple. While much of the film’s tension revolves around the fractured relationship between Charlie (Robert Pattinson) and his fiancée Emma (Zendaya) on the brink of their wedding, the revelation of Emma’s big secret is only made possible through the well-meaning, alcohol-fueled intervention of their closest friends, Rachel (Alana Haim) and Mike (Mamoudou Athie).

The stars of “The Drama” joined IndieWire for a video interview a week before the film’s release. Haim and Athie discussed their reactions to the film’s narrative twist, the pleasures of collaborating with Borgli, and why Haim kept breaking wine glasses on set.

IndieWire: Mamoudou, we last spoke in 2017 for “Unicorn Store.”
Mamoudou Athie: Oh wow, good times. I love that film.

Christopher Borgli’s work is very distinctive. What was the first project of his that made you think, “I like this guy’s style”?
Alana Haim: I discovered Chris’s world through “Dream Scenario.” I went to the premiere alone and remember being completely absorbed by his unique approach to filmmaking—from the cinematography to the writing. I spoke to him afterward and felt an immediate connection. He told me about an idea for a film—at the time it wasn’t yet called “The Drama”—and I was hooked. That’s how Rachel was born.
Athie: I first saw “Sick of Myself.” I instantly became a fan because I love people who really want to make “films,” not just “content.”

You mentioned “content”!
Athie: Exactly! I hate that word. When I hear someone say “content,” I go crazy. Content is trash! We’re making films or TV shows, not content.

What was your reaction when you first read the script? You were probably shocked after the first 20 pages.
Haim: It was a real page-turner. After page 20, you’re like, “What? Where is this going?” It was such an original idea that I couldn’t put it down.
Athie: It scared me a little, but scripts that scare you and make you say, “I don’t know, man—I’m not sure,” are always the most exciting to read. I’m glad I did it.

I’m personally a fan of spoilers and watched the film knowing the twist. For a film where the main twist happens in the first 20 minutes, is it even a spoiler—or just part of the plot?
Haim: If people want spoilers, they should go for it! No judgment. But at the Los Angeles premiere, someone told me how happy they were to go in knowing nothing. Watching the film with an audience—hearing them gasp or suddenly laugh—was so enjoyable for me.
Athie: I think it’s just part of the story. Being surprised adds something extra, but the film is really about how they deal with it. Personally, I’m against spoilers—that’s why I don’t even watch trailers.

You were very convincing as a long-term couple. How did you build that chemistry?
Haim: Connecting with Mamoudou was the easiest thing in the world. He’s not only an incredible actor but also an amazing person. We had a lot of room to improvise and joke around during rehearsals.
Athie: Alana is so kind and talented. To me, chemistry in acting is about listening. If two actors aren’t connected, it means they’re each doing their own thing and not listening to each other. Building a relationship with Alana was easy because we genuinely listened to one another.

You both delivered standout performances in key scenes. Alana, your portrayal of a drunk person—both at the dinner and the wedding—is fantastic.
Haim: That’s the biggest compliment! I was really worried it wouldn’t feel real. My sisters say that when I’m drunk, I love giving speeches—not like Rachel’s intense ones, but more like, “Guys, I love you all!” In that scene, I was so immersed that every time I made a toast, I slammed my wine glass on the table and it shattered. The props team would come over and say, “Please be a bit gentler!” But I kept forgetting and breaking the glass, splashing wine all over Mamoudou!

Mamoudou, what’s the secret behind that powerful, emotional crying scene when Charlie reads his wedding vows to you?
Athie: I think you just have to actually cry and let people laugh at it! Otherwise it doesn’t work. I was surprised Chris asked me to really cry. It took a few takes to get there.

I heard the dinner scene was filmed like a play, in a single take.
Haim: We had no idea! We thought it would be shot in smaller pieces. When we sat down and Chris said, “Let’s do the whole scene in one take,” I squeezed Mamoudou’s leg under the table and said, “This was not the plan!” But now I can’t imagine doing it any other way. We shot so much footage until it finally felt like a real conversation between four close friends.
Athie: Good writing makes dialogue easy to memorize. Shooting a long scene in one take is actually fun. It’s nerve-wracking at first, but once we started, I realized it’s the best way to make a film.

A24 will release “The Drama” in theaters on April 3, 2026.