I wasn’t quite sure what to think of the Challengers going in. As I imagine most of you do, my experience of the film before buying a ticket and sitting down in my theater was watching the viral moment from the trailer where Zendaya watches the leading men kiss with the satisfaction of a cat who has just managed to trick his owner into getting two separate dinners.
So what is Challengers all about? Well, it’s kind of a tennis movie, but really it’s about three people: Art (Mike Faist), Patrick (Josh O’Connor), and Tashi (Zendaya). They have all – in some cases consciously and in others unconsciously – shaped each other’s lives and careers in the world of professional tennis. Almost all of the major events we see in Challengers have already happened, but like a troll or an onion, we get to peel off the teams bit by bit during a series of flashbacks, while the main story unfolds during the most intense tennis match I’ve ever seen set.
Challengers It is incredibly good at handling the tension. In those moments where you don’t know what’s going to happen, if a secret is going to be revealed or if something is finally going to break, you’re forced to follow along, and from there you’ll notice and remember details that show proved to be decisive later. It’s a very well-told story, a story that doesn’t drag out in time during the film’s somewhat long running time, and that also never feels too artistic, as if it’s trying to go over the audience’s head. Basically, it’s a story about relationships, about how they can make and mostly break you. By the way, that doesn’t mean a typical romantic relationship, because I’m not sure that any of the couples in Challengers can be described as romantic, except maybe the two boys.
Art and Patrick have incredible chemistry on screen, and O’Connor and Faist cannot be praised enough for their ability to create what truly feels like a lifelong friendship in the space of a couple of hours. Zendaya is also outstanding, as you’ve probably heard, bringing a nuance to her role that we haven’t seen from her before, which seems odd considering how talented she is. The performances of these three could really carry the film alone, but they are by no means Challengers’ only strength.
This is an advertisement:
The cinematography and sound in Challengers are excellent, especially in the case of the former. The latter’s synth and funky beats really keep the interest up during many of the tennis sequences, and even if you’re not a fan, they can make you look forward to seeing who manages to get the ball to the other side of the court. But to return to film photography, Challengers is not afraid to take some chances when it comes to certain images. There is a sequence that follows the ball during a rally, which could have seemed silly if not handled well. However, the moment it is used, it only helps to heighten the ever-increasing tension throughout the film. In addition to the famous tennis ball sequence, there are many other moments that made me a little geeky about the way Challengers was filmed. Every camera angle, every moment tells us something about the characters and the story in a perfect example of showing without telling. Patrick pulls a stool a little closer to him, so Art in turn gets a little closer, for example, which is then followed by the churro moment.
My enjoyment of the Challengers was hampered by two things. The first was that during the screening I got a severe cramp in my foot. It hurt terribly and I couldn’t relieve it. Usually I stand up, but it would look a little weird if I just stood there. I considered pretending to go to the bathroom, but I didn’t want to miss a moment, so I just suffered in silence for a while until the pain went away. Woe is me. The other thing I took away from the perfect score was that the film feels a bit self-indulgent. Luca Guadagnino seemed unable to help itself at times, especially towards the end, which made me feel like it insisted on itself a little too much. Otherwise, Challengers is one of the best movies I’ve seen this year. Sassy, uncompromising and packed with drama that will have you gossiping like Zendaya is a person you know, it’s a wild ride from start to finish.
This is an advertisement:
