Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Zendaya's Film Sparks Outrage Over School Shooting Plot

3/25/2026

22 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Drama, a comedy starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, faces backlash from Tom Mauser, father of Columbine victim Daniel Mauser, over a plot where Zendaya's character reveals she once planned a school shooting.
Mauser said it is 'awful' to use such a topic for a romantic comedy and urged people with harmful thoughts to seek therapy instead of portraying their experiences.
The film has not yet been widely screened.

History

Historical Context

The Columbine High School shooting on April 20, 1999, resulted in 13 deaths and 23 injuries, marking it as the deadliest high school shooting in U.S. history. This tragedy ignited national debates on gun control and mental health, leading to the emergence of the "Columbine effect," which has influenced over 50 subsequent mass shootings, highlighting the ongoing societal impact of the event.

1 of 2

Story summary

The Drama, a comedy starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, faces backlash from Tom Mauser, father of Columbine victim Daniel Mauser, over a plot where Zendaya's character reveals she once planned a school shooting.
Mauser said it is 'awful' to use such a topic for a romantic comedy and urged people with harmful thoughts to seek therapy instead of portraying their experiences.
The film has not yet been widely screened.

1 / 2