There seldom comes a movie that meets the expectation of the audience and integrity that was promised upon trailor release. 2024’s “Challengers” is one of them. Directed by “Call Me By Your Name” and “Bones and All” renowed director Luca Guadagnino, the film was set to release in September 2023 but was pushed back due to SAG-AFTRA strike.
The story follows life of professional tennis player, Art Donaldson plays by Mike Faist who is on verger of career decline. He attempts to make a come back with coaching of a former tennis prodigy and his wife, Tashi Duncan portrayed by Zendaya, who retired after a career ending injury. The match happens to be set up against Patrick Zweig enacted by Josh O’ Connor who also happens to be his best friend and wife’s former lover.
Zendaya’s character is the heart of the story. She trained under pro tennis coach Brad Gilbert for 3 months to gain that tennis player perfectionism. ‘Tashi’ is strong willed person, with making things happen her way and is central catalyst for the narrative. Her role touches areas that Zendaya has never done before with her signature portrayal of teenager roles. Mike’s character portrays an athlete’s will and struggle to prove his comeback and grapples existential life crisis and Josh’s role as Patrick throws light on former best friend turned rival.
“Challengers” showcases true athleticism and commendable performances by the actors. It is tense, powerful and enthralling. The movie is an entanglement of competition, love, loyalty, ambition with dizzying array of plot. The love triangle between the characters is a depiction of tennis game itself as Tashi as a tennis ball as she volleys to find answers between Art and Patrick on either side of court. Tashi’s passion for the game overrides anything in her life and the two men simply pieces in game that she moves as she sees fit.
The film got 7.8/10 IMDb rating and scored 76% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film was released on 26th of April with a budget of $50 million and as of now has collected $29 million. The film is worth a watch and will keep you seated with anticipation.
