The Story Behind Charlie & Emma’s Boston Apartment In The Drama

The week leading up to a wedding can be quite the stressful affair – especially if you happen to dig up a secret that your spouse has hidden up until now. Sound familiar? This is the premise of The Drama, Kristoffer Borgli’s latest feature film. Starring Robert Pattinson and Zendaya as soon-to-be wed couple Charlie and Emma, the film witnesses the shiny veneer of their relationship crack and crumble following a dinner party gone awry – and ultimately poses one major question: how well can you truly know your partner?

Well, their taste in furniture might give something away. The artsy Boston apartment in The Drama isn’t just a testament to the lives led by its owners, but also the tensions that sit beneath the surface of their otherwise perfect relationship. Intrigued? Here’s the design lowdown.

Where Is Charlie & Emma’s Apartment Set In The Drama?

The events of The Drama unfold in Boston, Massachusetts – which is where all the primary filming for the movie took place. The team at A24 perused the city’s art galleries (the Addison Gallery of American Art acts as the fictional Cambridge Art Museum where Charlie works) and wedding venues (Charlie and Emma tie the knot at the Mansion on Turner Hill) for filming locations, before hunting down the space they’d be using for the couple’s Bostonian apartment.

Courtesy of A24

When it came to the job of finding and designing Charlie and Emma’s apartment in The Drama, director Kristoffer Borgli turned to a familiar collaborator: production designer Zosia Mackenzie. Having previously worked together on the film Dream Scenario, the duo were well-placed to bring another set to life together.

The team at A24 scouted several neighbourhoods in the city in their search for the right space to house Charlie and Emma. ‘We looked at lots of different apartments,’ said production designer Zosia Mackenzie. ‘We looked at some houses. We looked at some lofts. We were pretty open to exploring and seeing what was out there.’

But Mackenzie had a pretty specific criteria in mind already: a late Victorian rowhouse with high ceilings, a spiral staircase and big windows to let in plenty of light while filming. And luckily, they found just that. The team stumbled across 43 Union Park in Boston, whose cluster of units included a Back Bay rowhouse with built-in bookshelves and original moldings. Although a family was already living in the apartment, they were able to strike up a deal with A24 and relocate temporarily while filming took place.

Courtesy of A24

A Closer Look At The Boston Apartment From The Drama

With books lining the shelves, art hung on the walls and paper Noguchi lamps warming up the corners of their apartment, Charlie and Emma’s home feels both carefully curated and comfortably lived in. In a behind-the-scenes video from A24, Mackenzie describes Emma and Charlie’s home as ‘a very quintessential Boston apartment’, adding that it ‘had so much depth in it.’

Mackenzie and the set decoration team decided to keep the apartment rooted in the local area, picking up classic furniture pieces that would have resonated with Charlie’s artistic roots. Some of the key pieces the production designer picked up include a Knoll sofa from Reside, a shop in Cambridge specialising in 20th century modern furnishings, as well as a pair of Knoll Pollock chairs sourced from Facebook Marketplace. The team also weaved through the city’s network of antique markets, local shops and sellers – some even going as far as Cape Cod – as well as the Katherine Small Gallery, where they sourced a number of quality artworks for Charlie’s collection. 

Courtesy of A24

In contrast, Emma’s presence in the apartment is much more subtle. ‘The idea was that it was Charlie’s apartment,’ said the production designer. ‘He’d been living there for quite a while.’ And so, when Emma moves in, it was with small, unobtrusive design notes – mainly through books on the shelves bearing the logo of Mission Publishing, her fictional workplace. ‘It’s very subtle,’ emphasises Mackenzie. ‘I don’t know if anyone will pick up on it.’

On the surface, it looks like the ideal apartment for a young couple. ‘It feels effortlessly cool – the kind of space that has clearly been collected over time rather than styled in one go,’ remarks Louise McGarry, creative director at Studio Braw. ‘It’s layered, personal, and full of pieces that speak to the lives and tastes of the people who live there. There’s a quiet confidence to it: nothing feels forced, yet everything feels considered.

‘There’s a balance between warmth and restraint that feels very in tune with Boston – a city known for its cultural depth and historic character,’ she adds. ‘At the same time, the mix of elements hints at two personalities coming together, creating a space that feels both cohesive and slightly tensioned.’

Courtesy of A24

This ‘tension’, of course, is something that becomes all the more prominent as the film progresses. The apartment is filled with small hidden details that hint at something not being quite right: mismatched lamps in the living room, odd dining chairs that stick out from the rest of the set, asymmetrical bedside tables – never anything incredibly obvious, but enough to make the audience feel like something is off.

‘Thanks to the expert vision of production designer Zosia Mackenzie, the apartment feels much more than just a backdrop. It serves as an extension of Emma and Charlie’s relationship – modern and polished on the surface, yet rich with subtle layers that hint at something brewing beneath the surface,’ agrees Sarah Ross, co-founder of Addison Ross. ‘The design mirrors their dynamic: elegant, yet full of depth, and perfectly suited to the drama unfolding within.’

Courtesy of A24

Get The Look

Want the look without, well, The Drama? Our design experts have laid out their top tips for recreating Charlie and Emma’s Boston apartment.

Stick To Neutrals

The apartment itself is something of a canvas for the collectibles that inhabit it – which means a neutral palette is essential for giving them space to shine. ‘Opt for soft greys, creams, and muted blues as your base, then introduce personality with accents like cushions or artwork,’ advises Sarah. ‘A thoughtfully placed tray or placemat can add a refined touch to the space.’

Balance Clean Lines With Comfort

While the apartment boasts heaps of style, it’s never at the expense of comfort. ‘Pair minimalist furniture with plush fabrics like velvet or linen to create a stylish yet cosy atmosphere,’ suggests Sarah. ‘Freestanding, rechargeable lamps are also a great way to add both practical lighting and a sophisticated vibe.’

Curate Any Personal Touches

Decorated with the idea that Charlie has been curating an art collection for a while now – leaning into a blend of local and established artists – the apartment is almost something of a mini gallery. And when it comes to choosing art for your own space, Sarah emphasises you ‘choose art that resonates with your style – whether it’s bold shapes or calming scenes – and incorporate personal items, like a beautifully designed games set, for an elegant yet playful element.’

And don’t be afraid to move between media, says Louise. ‘Mixing mediums – paintings, photography, objects – and displaying them at varied heights creates that “collected over time” feel, adding richness and visual intrigue.’

Style The Shelves

Bookshelves should feel just as curated as the walls and furniture – and with Emma’s background in publishing, this space acts as an extension of her life both in and outside of the apartment. ‘Style your shelves with intention, but don’t overthink it,’ recommends Louise. ‘A generously filled bookshelf instantly adds depth and personality – it suggests a life well-lived and intellectually curious.’

Mix & Match

And if you’re not afraid to introduce tension, Louise suggests being playful with asymmetry and juxtaposition. ‘Slight irregularities, like mismatched dining chairs, make a space feel curated rather than staged,’ she says. ‘It’s these subtle imbalances that give a room its edge.’ (Just maybe leave this trick until after the wedding day.)