Rent Challengers (2024)

A Bit Daft - Challengers review by KB

I didn't think this film really worked because the premise of the film wasn't that believable and it was all a bit silly. It is just about watchable but generally i just didn't find it that involving.

Not very good... - Challengers review by TB

This is really not very good at all.. in fact it's really quite boring...

None of the characters are likeable (well, there's just 3 characters really, in a love triangle). I have no idea why it's put in the 'comedy' category as there's no laughs at all (except maybe the vaguest chuckle when Zendaya does a temptress routine with the 2 lads).

I actually can't think of any redeeming features... (except for Zendaya's physique)

Anyway, we persevered to the end (a long 2 hours).. and in the final act, it does pick up a bit (although ironically soo drawn out!).. but then right at the final moment you're left going "Huh??"

A very entertaining & enjoyable film about the determination & passion within elite sports - Challengers review by TB

Luca Guadagnino has had an incredible career. Whilst Call Me By Your Name will always be his masterpiece, he has dipped his toe into multiple other genres & story subjects. But even with this track record, when I first heard about Challengers, I was a little perplexed. The only other tennis-themed film I've watched is Wimbledon, which looks at a player who is in his last year as an older professional and, shock horror, wins Wimbledon as a total outsider. And for me Guadagnino would have no interest in this. But, as with other films he has done, particularly Bones & All, the initial subject matter (tennis,) is only used as a setting/sport for the characters to be tangentially involved in. Challengers is far more interested in what happens behind the scenes, despite there also being some great on-court action.

Patrick Zweig (O'Connor) & Art Donaldson (Faist) are tennis players as well as close friends. But they are also very different people: Zweig is a maverick, coasting on some talent as well as his good looks & extremely effective charm/chat-up abilities. Donaldson is much more the professional, fixated on every element of his game & training routine. One day, both men go to watch Tashi Duncan (Zendaya) play. From both a sporting ability perspective as well as physical attractiveness, both men are instantly smitten. The film follows them over more than a decade, both with their careers as well as their pursuit of Tashi.

The first thing to say is that, in terms of the actors & their tennis abilities, all of them look absolutely perfect in their roles. And this is vital considering how the tennis matches are also used as a metaphor for their internal emotions as well. And this use of the game alongside the relentless ambition & pursuit of both titles & Tashi really works.

The chemistry between the 3 leads is also great. Whereas in a film with more than 2 protagonists, often one is pushed aside or is almost like a 5th wheel, the script gives all of them generous amounts of time to build their characters, as well as decent meaty scenes playing off each other. The sexual tension element is also extremely effective, Zendaya flawlessly making you not only fancy her but fully understanding why the 2 men are willing to do almost anything to get with her.

However, the one element which didn't work well for me, and was genuinely shoehorned into the narrative by Guadagnino when he came aboard, was the attraction of Patrick & Art to each other. There are some little moments leading upto the famous hotel room scene which are playful in nature & insinuate something that may be below the surface. Then after said scene, which to me was almost Guadagnino being provocative for the sake of it, this attraction is never really mentioned again. And it jars the narrative for me, simply because it seems so out of place.

But everything else is spot on. The music, electronic beats alongside strings, really work in ratcheting up the tension & momentum. The sound is also very good, and as always with Guadagnino's films, the cinematography great.

If you are looking for a film which really pushes your buttons, you will find it here. And whilst there are some issues for me, I also really enjoyed & was gripped by it.