Pattinson & zendaya's 'the drama': a boston apartment tells the story
Forget exotic locales and period costumes – A24’s latest, The Drama, starring Robert Pattinson and Zendaya, finds its narrative power within the confines of a remarkably ordinary Boston apartment. Production designer Zosia Mackenzie has crafted a set so meticulously “lived-in” that it becomes a character in itself, subtly amplifying the emotional turmoil of a relationship on the precipice of collapse.
A space rooted in reality: boston's financial district
The film centers on Charlie (Pattinson) and Emma (Zendaya), a couple grappling with a long-held secret just days before their wedding. The majority of the action unfolds within their shared apartment, deliberately situated in Boston’s Financial District. Mackenzie, fresh from her work on Dream Scenario and Infinity Pool, intentionally eschewed the allure of fantastical settings, opting instead for a sense of unsettling normalcy that mirrors the couple's deteriorating bond.
“We really put ourselves in their shoes,” Mackenzie explains, detailing a process of immersive research that saw her, director Kristoffer Borgli, and photography director Arseni Khachaturan relocating to Boston for an extended period. They haunted local stores, galleries, and bookshops, absorbing the city’s atmosphere and seeking to authentically replicate the couple’s tastes and lifestyle.
The Devil’s in the Details: Thrifted Treasures and Thoughtful Placement The apartment’s aesthetic is a testament to Mackenzie's dedication to detail. Thrifted furniture, carefully curated artwork, and an abundance of books – a nod to Emma’s career as a literary editor – contribute to a feeling of quiet authenticity. Bostonians will recognize the city’s influence in the apartment's details, with a significant portion of the smaller pieces sourced from local establishments like the Catherine Small Gallery and the Cambridge Antique Market. Even larger items, like a striking Knoll sofa sourced from Reside Inc., were chosen to complement the narrative’s emotional weight.
Mackenzie emphasizes the importance of art within the space, and the team went to extraordinary lengths to recreate or acquire pieces from notable artists, including Sara Cwynar and Eirik Sæther. Tristan Unrau’s Shambolic Figure, prominently displayed above the mantel, is particularly noteworthy. “It's almost like a little bit of a reflection of Charlie,” Mackenzie suggests, hinting at the artwork’s symbolic resonance with the protagonist’s inner turmoil.
Lighting and time: subtle shifts in a fracturing relationship
Beyond the décor, Mackenzie utilized lighting and subtle changes in the set dressing to visually represent the passage of time and the evolving dynamics between Charlie and Emma. “We would switch out a piece of artwork in the bedroom, or we would switch a lamp or the bedding,” Mackenzie reveals, “Very subtle things to show the time change.” This meticulous attention to detail underscores the film's commitment to telling a story not just through dialogue, but through the evocative language of set design.
The final touches, like the sage green kitchen painted with Benjamin Moore’s Norway Spruce, and Mackenzie’s personal favorites – a $1800 Flo’s Snoopy lamp and a Marset dipping lamp – further enhance the apartment's unique character. The Drama serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most compelling stories unfold not in grand landscapes, but in the quiet corners of everyday life.