Challengers receives mixed reviews from critics

Luca Guadagnino's Challengers portrays a unique love triangle within a competitive tennis backdrop.

Challengers redefines the romance in tennis films

Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino, centers on Tashi Duncan, played by Zendaya, who navigates a complex love triangle with Art and Patrick, portrayed by Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor, respectively. The film follows Tashi's journey from a promising tennis player to a successful coach after a career-ending injury. As she trains her husband Art for a tournament against her former love, Patrick, the emotional stakes rise. Guadagnino skillfully intertwines tennis with themes of love and ambition, moving beyond the typical romantic tropes seen in the genre. The film employs dynamic cinematography to elevate tennis matches, turning them into choreographed battles of skill and desire. Yet, it takes liberties with portrayal, showing Tashi as both empowered and flawed, ultimately raising questions about ambition and personal relationships.

Challengers stands out in its portrayal of a female lead who is ambitious and strong, showcasing Zendaya's ability to inhabit a complex character that defies typical narratives in romance films. The film interlaces athletic performance with intimate emotional landscapes, revealing how ambition can complicate personal connections. Yet it risks superficiality by placing excessive focus on visual allure rather than deeper character development, leaving viewers with a tantalizing but potentially hollow experience. Guadagnino’s artistic choices serve to present tennis as an arena of both competition and seduction, emphasizing form over substance at times.

Highlights

As Challengers unravels, it invites spectators to reflect on the intersection of sport and intimate relationships.