Challengers

The initial trailers painted Challengers, director Luca Guadagnino's new Zendaya-starring film, as a uber sexy thriller that potentially pushed the boundaries of a love triangle. That's not all that far off other than there's surprisingly no actual sex in the film (though it's still very sexy) and the result is a really fun, intoxicating thriller that is going to elevate Zendaya's already stratospheric star power even further. 

I'm completely unfamiliar with Luca Guadagnino's work - having seen none of his recent films. That's something that may need to be rectified (add it to the list) having now seen, and really enjoyed Challengers. His direction is consistently engaging and exciting both in the active tennis moments, but similarly in character interactions as well. A lot of this lends to a very strong screenplay that unfolds the story nonchronologically - Christopher Nolan style! - for some well-earned dramatic effect. It's a strength of the film, but also it's most glaring opportunity as it loses a bit of steam in the 3rd act and feels like its dragging itself out too much. This is a 2 hour and 11 minute film that didn't need to be a minute over 2 hours.

Where Challengers is most surprising however is its humor. I'm not sure how it'll fare for something like "Comedy of the Year", although outside of American Fiction, nothing has been all that funny yet. Either way, there's some funny moments, particularly between the teenage boys and their cartoonish jaws-dropped-to-the-floor and sexual angst. The whole thing is a blend of dripping sweat, sultry lust, and energetic fun - largely thanks to the trio of performances. Mike Faist consistently displays a balance in each era of Art's (his character) life, coming across as the "good guy", but also one who has a passion to win. In contrast, subtle at the beginning but more obvious later on, Josh O'Connor as Patrick, is a more abrasive, aggressive competitor and courter of Tashi. He's a self declared "piece of s**t", though O'Connor's performance allows for room for his positive qualities to shine through. And then there's Zendaya as Tashi Duncan. Zendaya is phenomenal - having quite a good year! - and plays the role of a tennis-obsessed-phenom who's manipulating two men with more ease than I took to write that sentence. It's likely to be one of the best performances of the year both in terms of responsibility on her shoulders and the level of swagger with which she carries it. 

Doesn't play out how'd you'd expect...

Along the way, Challengers is rounded out with [mostly] fantastic music. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross supply a pulsing, old-school original score that breathes a level of life into the film it wouldn't have been able to achieve with something mundane or forgettable. It's quickly one of the better OSs of 2024 and an example of the original music elevating a movie almost an entire point (at least in this reviewer's opinion). The soundtrack choices can be odd at times - some didn't work for me - but those are quickly forgotten once Reznor and Ross' music comes back into play. 

Challengers is a surprise of a film. I was anticipating it, but am still impressed by the outcome. It balances the thrills of lust with the thrills of tennis, captured in a package that has quality filmmaking, performances, and music. 2024 has been trending toward the disappointing side thus far - aside from a single handful of examples - but Challengers is not one of them. 

CONS

• Meanders and drags itself out near the end. ~10 minutes too long
• Feels a tad repetitive with its story beats
• Do people sweat that much in tennis?!? (not actually docking points for this)
• Ever so slightly near the end, the time periods were confusing me
• Handful of the soundtrack music choices didn't work

PROS

• Exciting direction and screenplay. Nonchronological order adds sizzling drama while there's fun styling and camera work when it matters
• Funny where it matters, it knows how to have some fun
• Thrilling tennis sequences with lots of flare
• Central performances that bolster the whole thing
• Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor are good opposites in some subtle ways and other not so subtle ways
• Zendaya as Tashi is likely to be one of the better performances of the year. There's a lot to chew on
• Original score by Reznor and Ross is pulsing and energetic. One of the best parts of the film and helps to elevate it
• Fun, entertaining, thrilling, and keeps you guessing just enough

Rath's Review Score | 8.5/10