Beyond Romance: 6 Anti-Love Films to Stream After Watching The Drama
After decades of being saturated with predictable 'will-they, won't-they' romantic comedies, contemporary audiences are increasingly drawn to darker, more complex portrayals of relationships. While the 1990s and 2000s delivered countless heartwarming love stories—from Noah's letters in The Notebook to Anna's iconic line in Notting Hill—there remains a timeless appeal to classics like When Harry Met Sally... and Bridget Jones's Diary. However, recent years have witnessed a surge in blockbuster films that deliberately twist romantic conventions.
The latest example is The Drama, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, which follows an engaged couple whose wedding week spirals into chaos due to an unexpected turn of events. The film's massive twist has sparked intense debate, though this remains a spoiler-free discussion. For viewers seeking movies where relationships are not as they initially appear, here are six exceptional anti-romance films available for streaming.
Materialists (Streaming on Now)
Following her Oscar-nominated success with Past Lives, writer-director Celine Song returned last year with Materialists. Billed as a romantic comedy-drama, the film features Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal in a love triangle involving a matchmaker, her ex-boyfriend, and a wealthy financier within New York City's competitive dating scene. While the ending polarized audiences, review site Rotten Tomatoes praised it as a 'mature deconstruction of the conventional rom-com.'
As Metro's review noted: 'Materialists is a stylish and thought-provoking examination of the modern dating scene and society's obsession with commodifying everything—except genuine love. It demonstrates why romance films should not be confined to rigid, narrow definitions.'
Marriage Story (Streaming on Netflix)
The 2019 drama Marriage Story stars Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver as a couple navigating a divorce complicated by custody battles over their son. Nominated for six Oscars—including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Original Screenplay—the film offers a raw portrayal of relationship breakdowns.
As Metro's review explained: 'Marriage Story is, as many have observed, more of a divorce story. It explores how easily we hurt others, often without realizing the pain we cause. The film illustrates how small moments accumulate until they become overwhelming, and how societal norms can perpetuate cycles of harm in pursuit of personal goals.'
Promising Young Woman (Streaming on Now)
Before Emerald Fennell's work on Saltburn or her adaptation of Wuthering Heights, her 2020 feature film debut Promising Young Woman made waves for its bold narrative. Starring Carey Mulligan, the film follows a troubled young woman grappling with a traumatic past as she seeks both forgiveness and vengeance. Nominated for five Oscars, it concludes with a powerful twist.
As Fennell told Variety about the protagonist, Cassie: 'She is heroic, even if her heroism is distressing in many ways. It may not be morally right, but I believe strongly that her actions were the only recourse she felt available to her.'
Get Out (Streaming on Now)
Nearly a decade ago, Jordan Peele debuted with Get Out, a film described as 'funny, scary, and thought-provoking.' Starring Daniel Kaluuya as Chris, a Black man who uncovers shocking secrets when meeting the family of his white girlfriend Cassie (Alison Williams), the film was made on a $4.5 million budget and grossed an impressive $255 million worldwide.
As one review highlighted: 'This brilliantly provocative first feature from comedian-turned-writer-director Jordan Peele proves that the most effective way to deliver satire to a mass audience is to frame it as horror.'
Remember Me (Streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime)
Although Remember Me received mixed reviews from critics, viewers often recall its heart-stopping, devastating twist. The 2020 film stars Robert Pattinson and Emilie de Ravin as a couple whose relationship begins as a revenge romance but evolves into a bond forged through shared trauma.
Despite being labeled 'overwritten and overcooked' by one critic, fans remember the theatrical experience vividly, with one noting, 'I could still hear people gasping at the reveal.'
A Star is Born (Streaming on HBO Max)
The 2018 remake of A Star is Born, directed by Bradley Cooper, stands as a celebrated film in its own right. Cooper stars as an alcoholic musician who discovers and falls in love with a young singer, portrayed by Lady Gaga. Nominated for eight Oscars and grossing over $436 million globally, the film also made Gaga the first woman to win an Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Grammy in a single year.
While hailed as an 'affecting love story,' the film does not shy away from darker themes. As Metro's review elaborated: 'It is an enthralling meditation on how the entertainment industry often turns its stars into casualties.'
The Drama is currently showing in cinemas. For those intrigued by narratives that challenge traditional romance, these six films offer compelling alternatives that delve into the complexities of human relationships.
