Challengers Review: A Love Triangle Where the Real Match Point is Desire

Forget about steamy nights in the bedroom, "Challengers" serves up a love story hotter than a blistering backhand. This new film by Luca Guadagnino (of "Call Me By Your Name" fame) dives into the world of competitive tennis, using a Challengers tournament as the battleground for a love triangle with a twist.

On one side of the net is Art Donaldson (Mike Faist), on the other, his former best friend Patrick Zweig (Josh O'Connor). Their rivalry is as fierce as their swings, fueled by their shared past and their mutual desire for Tashi Donaldson (Zendaya). But Tashi only has eyes for one thing: victory.

Once a rising star on the court, Tashi's career was cut short by injury. Now, she channels her passion into coaching Art, the man she eventually marries. To reignite his competitive fire, she enters him in a Challengers tournament, hoping to propel him towards a shot at the U.S. Open. But their carefully constructed world shatters when Art faces Patrick in the final, forcing them to confront a past laced with regrets and unspoken desires.

Written by Justin Kuritzkes, the film is a mind game masterpiece. As the players volley not just tennis balls but emotional baggage, the audience gets drawn into the intoxicating chaos. Zendaya aptly nicknamed it "Codependency: The Movie," a story of three deeply flawed individuals bound by a complex web of love, hate, and an undeniable need for each other.

Fueled by a relentless pursuit of flawless tennis, Tashi, a captivating enigma, disrupts the lives of two young tennis players. Arriving late one night at their hotel, she ignites a physical encounter and dangles a promise: her number to the victor of their upcoming match. Tashi becomes their unseen puppeteer, maneuvering them towards an impossible ideal.

Zendaya embodies this complex character with a blend of youthful innocence and cryptic self-assurance. As the teenage Tashi, she walks a tightrope between teenage angst and aloof indifference. It's unclear whether she's manipulating Art and Patrick or perhaps even herself. Zendaya's Disney background lends a unique charm to Tashi's youthful earnestness, yet it hinders her portrayal of the older, calculating Tashi. While she exudes confidence, a hint of childishness lingers. This ambiguity is intriguing, blurring the lines between manipulator and manipulated. However, to truly elevate the performance, Zendaya needed to tap into a deeper maturity, one that would deliver a winning grand slam.

O'Connor and Faist steal the show with their multifaceted performances. O'Connor sheds his usual portrayal of meek characters, transforming into the brash and magnetic Patrick, whose confidence masks a deep emptiness. Faist, known for raw intensity, imbues Art with a charming vulnerability that hides a cunning competitor. Their contrasting energies crackle with electricity, especially in their shared scenes. While both share passionate encounters with Zendaya, the most searing moments occur between O'Connor and Faist themselves. Through subtle glances and unspoken tension, Guadagnino masterfully crafts a potent homoerotic subtext, hinting that Tashi is merely a catalyst for their unspoken desires. This psychosexual dance plays out everywhere, from the tennis court to the sauna, their barely contained yearning exploding into a symphony of unspoken attraction.

In a steamy sauna mirroring the intensity of the competition, the central trio engages in a primal dance. Art's forced bravado clashes with Patrick's smug satisfaction, their unspoken desires simmering beneath the surface. The scene leans into the obvious - phallic imagery abounds from fruit to hot dogs - but with such playful audacity that it becomes irresistible.

Guadagnino's camera heightens the almost campy undercurrent. A low-angle shot transforms a kiss into a voyeuristic spectacle, mirroring the audience's own investment in the game. We become the speeding tennis ball, then see the court from the players' perspective, feeling the strain in their every move. A raised hem or a forceful serve takes on a sexual charge, blurring the lines between competition and carnal desire. In this world, sex is a carefully orchestrated match, orchestrated by Guadagnino's masterful direction.

The score, a pulsating symphony by Reznor and Ross, takes the tension to a whole new level. Their signature electronica throbs with the intensity of a tightly strung racquet, a sonic update of Miami Vice that wouldn't be out of place at the US Open. The staccato rhythm mimics the rapid exchanges on the court, while simultaneously evoking the hypnotic allure of a nightclub.

Challengers is a potent concoction - fresh, exhilarating, and bursting with energy. It playfully pushes the boundaries of its glossy exterior, exploring the complex interplay of sex, ambition, and the thrill of competition. This is a love triangle where someone always loses, but everyone gets a taste of victory. (Grade: A-)

Prepare to be served a thrilling game of love, betrayal, and championship dreams. Watch the Challengers trailer today.

Synopsis:

Rising tennis star, Anya Petrova (played by another new to the scene entertainer), is very nearly a significant leap forward. But her world is upended when a mysterious new coach, Sasha Volkov (played by a charismatic international actor), enters the scene. Sasha's unorthodox methods and enigmatic past lead to immediate success for Anya, propelling her to the top of the rankings. However, as Anya delves deeper into Sasha's world, she uncovers a web of deceit and manipulation. It turns out Sasha is not who he seems, and his true motives lie not in Anya's victory, but in a past rivalry with another player – a rivalry fueled by jealousy and a hidden agenda. Anya should pick either confiding in her coach and uncovering reality, regardless of whether it implies taking a chance with her profession and notoriety.

Director: Luca Guadagnino Writer: Justin Kuritzkes Stars: Zendaya, Mike Faist, Josh O'Connor Genre: Drama, Romance, Sport Release Date: 2024-04-26 Run Time: 131

“If you’re a new viewer, make sure like, share, and subscribe to Star Spotlight News for the latest and upcoming trending updates.👍”