Exclusive: Zendaya and Robert Pattinson Talk Love, Marriage, and Friendship at the World Premiere of The Drama

The Drama dares to ask how much we really want to know about the people closest to us—and Norwegian filmmaker Borgli pushes the wedding movie genre into fresh new territory, with a bold, dark, and heartfelt look at love. “To me, this movie is really about what you are willing to accept for love and poses the question, ‘Is love unconditional?’” Zendaya mused. “In my real life, what this movie has reminded me about love is: if you feel safe with someone, if you feel known by someone, and you feel seen by someone; then you feel like you can tell them everything,” she said. “And because of that, you feel like you know them on every level. And that’s the hope, right? It’s to feel like you’re with someone that you can be your whole and true self with and they will love every part of that.”

Pattinson plays British expat Charlie Thompson, a museum curator who has second thoughts about saying ‘I do.’ When asked how anyone really knows someone is the one, Pattinson offered: “It’s a leap of faith with any relationship. You’re never going to know someone 100 percent, but you have just got to believe in them. You can’t control someone’s past and you have nothing to do with it—you don’t own it. You always have to make that decision. I think the main thing is, if you can’t handle something, then you shouldn’t torture somebody else about it, ‘cause you probably don’t deserve them.”

The Drama marks the first time the pair share the screen together—and they’ll do it again on two more occasions (The Odyssey and Dune: Part III) later this year so it’s no surprise that they’ve become fast friends. “My favorite personality trait of Rob’s is that it’s very hard to tell when he’s trying to make a joke, or when he’s being serious, because he laughs through everything, but I think I’m getting a little better at it now,” Zendaya said. “And what I admire the most about him is that he’s such an incredible talent. I’ve been able to witness firsthand him transforming into so many different roles. He makes it look so easy, and it’s not fair,” she laughed.

“Zendaya is massively professional and she’s so lovely to everyone,” Pattinson praised. “She really takes the time to know everybody and the entire crew. On three movies now, I’ve seen the same thing. She’s so consistent and really amazing.”

Following the screening, buzzing guests trekked a few blocks across Sunset Boulevard to the fabled Chateau Marmont for the after-party. Zendaya did a quick change and emerged into the al fresco bash in a custom white lace design by Harris Reed. Surrounded by palm trees, lush gardens, and the hotel’s famed swimming pool overflowing with hundreds of red rose petals, she caught up with Dune director Denis Villeneuve. “I’m traumatized,” he joked to her, after watching the film.

Soon after, Billie and Georgia Dane, the two daughters of Zendaya’s Euphoria cast mate Eric Dane, who tragically passed away in February, greeted her and they shared a big hug.

Zendaya also chatted with her costars Jordyn Curet and Alana Haim. The Grammy-nominated singer, who gives a scene-stealing performance, drifted through the crowd of partygoers along with her sisters Este and Danielle, and danced with their mom while the DJ played Robyn’s Dancing on My Own. “Music is my heart and soul, but acting in Licorice Pizza was the greatest experience and it opened up a whole new chapter in my life, and I really felt like I couldn’t stop there. I had to keep going with acting,” Haim told Vogue. “It’s the most beautiful challenge and adventure I’ve ever been on.”

Meanwhile, Pattinson settled in a corner banquette, deep in conversation with pals over pizza. His fiancée Suki Waterhouse was nearby with a chic group that were sipping on specialty cocktails named Cupid’s Kiss, The Confession, and Till Death Do Us Part. Also on the wedding-inspired menu was a lavish three-tier cake made of chocolate and strawberry, featuring a custom cake topper that resembled Pattinson and Zendaya.

As the clock struck midnight, guests finished indulging in sweet slices of cake and eventually hopped into SUVs to head home. Haim stayed, savoring every last minute—surrounded by her family and showing off her Louis Vuitton gown by Nicolas Ghesquière (“He’s my king. I love him more than anything,” she exclaimed). “The night has finally come. I’m very excited for everybody to see the movie,” she said. “I’m so not used to these movie premieres. I still can’t believe I’m here.”