Alana Haim Says She Apologized to Zendaya After Filming Intense Scenes in The Drama

Alana Haim says she found it difficult to separate her real-life friendship with Zendaya from the intense conflict between their characters while filming A24’s The Drama, which premiered April 2, 2026.

In interviews with The Hollywood Reporter and ComingSoon, Haim explained that she frequently apologized to Zendaya between takes because of the hostility her character, Rachel, directs at Zendaya’s character, Emma. The tension stems from a pivotal scene early in the film.

During a pre-wedding game in which characters are asked to reveal the worst thing they’ve ever done, Emma admits that she once planned a school shooting as a teenager. The revelation shocks the group, but Rachel reacts more strongly than anyone else. According to Haim, her character responds with immediate disgust and moral outrage, setting off a chain of confrontations that drive the film’s central conflict.

While other characters try to process the information, Rachel “declares war” on Emma, refusing to forgive her or move on. This leads to several emotionally charged scenes in which Rachel openly criticizes and confronts Emma.

Haim said performing those scenes was emotionally taxing because of her off-screen relationship with Zendaya. She described repeatedly breaking character after the director called “cut” to reassure her co-star that the harsh words were not personal. Zendaya, she noted, remained focused and professional throughout filming.

Directed by Kristoffer Borgli, The Drama follows a seemingly happy couple, played by Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, whose wedding plans unravel after the revelation. Haim plays Rachel, a judgmental best friend whose rigid moral stance places her in opposition to the couple.

Some early reviews have described Haim’s performance as narrowly focused in its intensity. Haim has responded by pointing to the character’s background, explaining that Rachel’s reaction is shaped by a personal connection to similar real-world violence.

Despite the heavy subject matter, Haim said the experience underscored the professionalism of the cast, adding that Zendaya handled the difficult material with consistency and composure throughout production.