AceShowbiz - The Drama has quickly become a cultural sensation after its premiere, thanks in no small part to its evocative and carefully curated soundtrack. The film, directed by Kristoffer Borgli and led by Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, opened to impressive box office numbers, grossing $28 million worldwide in its opening weekend. This psychological romantic black comedy revolves around a couple preparing for their wedding weekend, which spirals into chaos following the revelation of deep, controversial secrets.

At the heart of the film’s immersive experience is its music, overseen by music supervisor Jemma Burns, whose selections have been praised for complementing the movie’s themes of redemption, morality, and forgiveness. Burns’ approach involved blending a variety of vintage sounds, ranging from newly rediscovered 1970s folk tunes like Shira Small’s “I Want to Lay With You” to wistful 1950s numbers such as Nolan Strong & The Diablo’s “The Wind.” These choices create a poignant contrast between the film’s narrative tension and the period-inspired melodies.

Burns recalls how her collaboration with Borgli began through producer Tyler Campellone of Square Peg. “I’d seen Kris’s work and was excited to meet him, but I didn’t initially know who was cast,” she explains. “We immediately connected creatively. The first playlist I sent, which included the wedding dance song ‘Lay With You,’ led to me landing the job. The top track from that playlist, ‘Inside Out,’ was the second dance song in the film—it all started from there.”

The soundtrack serves as a critical storytelling device, offering moments of levity amid the film’s darker themes. It also functions almost as a fifth character, weaving through the complex emotional landscape portrayed by the leads. From the surprising inclusion of Alicia Keys’ “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart” to the closing credits’ whimsical Moondog track, music underscores key moments with subtlety and depth.

When asked about the process of selecting songs and matching them to scenes, Burns emphasizes the importance of understanding the director’s vision. “After reading the script, I always want to hear the director’s approach to grasp their sensibility,” she shares. “In this case, Kris and I aligned perfectly from the start. I gather reference tracks from writers and directors to understand their perspective, though not all end up in the film. It’s a bit of an exploratory process, as changes often happen during editing.”

Indeed, many of Burns’ original playlist selections remained intact, which she found highly rewarding. The film’s musical aesthetic is heavily influenced by 1960s European cinema and early 1970s American romantic comedies. Burns sought to evoke a timeless, almost nostalgic atmosphere that clashes strikingly with the modern world and the characters’ contemporary sensibilities. This contrast intensifies the impact when the narrative’s secrets emerge.

She describes the overall mood of the soundtrack as possessing an “old-fashioned whimsy,” a quality that permeates even the final song, Moondog’s “Do Your Thing.” The track, though not widely recognized, carries a warm and playful feel that oscillates between lighthearted romance and the darker realities discussed in the film.

One of the standout moments in the soundtrack is the inclusion of Alicia Keys’ “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart.” Burns explains the careful consideration involved in selecting this song for use. “It had to be something realistic that the female characters would actually listen to. We wanted to avoid overly mainstream music to maintain a unique sonic identity for the film. Although Alicia Keys is a beloved artist, this particular track is more of a deep cut, which fit perfectly with Kris’s vision.”

Borgli’s direction called for a soundtrack that felt earnest yet slightly old-fashioned, qualities embodied by Shira Small’s “I Want to Lay With You,” the very first song the team explored.

Music supervisor Jemma Burns’ work on The Drama demonstrates how a thoughtfully crafted soundtrack can deepen a film’s emotional resonance and enhance storytelling. By blending timeless tracks with contemporary narrative, Burns and Borgli have created an auditory experience that feels both nostalgic and fresh, perfectly mirroring the film’s themes and tone.

With its $28 million global opening and the magnetic performances of Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, The Drama is set to maintain its momentum at the box office and in cultural conversations. The music, expertly curated by Burns, will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in how audiences connect with this layered, provocative story.