Parkland Survivor Raises Concerns Over Casting of Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in School Shooting Film

Jackie Corin worries the stars' fame could glamorize the sensitive subject matter of the A24 dark comedy 'The Drama'.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:53pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of shattered glass and glittering shards in high-contrast, dramatic studio lighting, conceptually representing the fragility and potential glamorization of the school shooting plot point in the film.The casting of Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in a film about a planned school shooting raises concerns about the potential glamorization of such a sensitive topic.Santa Clarita Today

Jackie Corin, a co-founder of March for Our Lives and a survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting, has expressed concerns about the casting of Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in the upcoming A24 film 'The Drama'. The film, which centers on a bride-to-be (Zendaya) who reveals she planned a school shooting as a teen, has already sparked debate over its handling of the sensitive subject matter. Corin notes that the stars' fame and cultural influence could potentially glamorize the idea of planning a school shooting, especially since the film's marketing has avoided acknowledging the plot point.

Why it matters

Gun violence and school shootings are deeply traumatic events that have profoundly impacted communities across the United States. Corin, as a Parkland survivor, brings a unique perspective on how the entertainment industry's portrayal of these issues can either deepen public understanding or risk trivializing the reality of such tragedies. Her concerns highlight the need for thoughtful, responsible storytelling when addressing these topics, especially when high-profile celebrities are involved.

The details

The Drama, directed by Kristoffer Borgli, follows Emma (Zendaya) and Charlie (Pattinson), a couple whose impending nuptials are thrown into jeopardy after Emma reveals she planned a school shooting as a teen but ultimately did not carry it out. The film has already faced criticism for its decision to play the plot point partly for comedy. Corin notes that while humor can be a way for audiences to process fear or grief, it can also feel jarring to those directly impacted by such events.

  • The Drama is set to hit theaters on Friday, April 4, 2026.

The players

Jackie Corin

A co-founder of March for Our Lives and a survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting that claimed 17 lives.

Zendaya

An acclaimed actress who stars as Emma, a bride-to-be who reveals she planned a school shooting as a teen, in the film The Drama.

Robert Pattinson

A popular actor who co-stars with Zendaya as Charlie, Emma's fiancé, in the film The Drama.

Kristoffer Borgli

The writer and director of the A24 dark comedy film The Drama.

Mia Tretta

A survivor of the 2019 school shooting in Santa Clarita, California, who recently criticized the film's treatment of the school shooting plot point.

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What they’re saying

“Gun violence, particularly in schools, is not just another dramatic device. Art has the capacity to deepen public understanding and create emotional clarity and awareness, but it can also flatten and distort reality, especially when it leans on shorthand or tries to make something more palatable than it actually is.”

— Jackie Corin, Co-founder of March for Our Lives

“A character planning a school shooting isn't something that should be joked about.”

— Mia Tretta, Survivor of 2019 Santa Clarita school shooting

“When you have someone like Zendaya and Robert Pattinson attached to a project, they both — separately, but also especially together — bring an enormous amount of attention and cultural weight. They are icons for a lot of young people. That can be a real asset if the project is handled with care, but it also means that the message reaches audiences who might not otherwise engage with the issue. It raises the stakes.”

— Jackie Corin, Co-founder of March for Our Lives

What’s next

Corin hopes that Zendaya and Pattinson will use their platforms to responsibly address the topic of gun violence during the film's press tour, as their star power could significantly impact how the sensitive subject matter is received by audiences.

The takeaway

This case highlights the delicate balance that filmmakers must strike when addressing traumatic events like school shootings, especially when utilizing high-profile actors. While art can deepen understanding, it also risks trivializing or glamorizing such tragedies if not handled with the utmost care and sensitivity.