CHALLENGERS
Starring: Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist
Director: Luca Guadagnino
ADRIANO
Have you ever watched a movie, then walked out of the theatre with a sudden burst of energy? That was me after Challengers, a film so electric that I found myself unblinkingly enthralled. Director Luca Guadagnino threw every crazy idea at the screen, and while there are
some misses, the ones that hit are too entertaining to watch. With the bizarre sexual chemistry between the three leads at the forefront, Challengers is a brilliantly thought-out and complex tennis match of psychological warfare that barely ever lets up, and I'd be surprised if it didn't remain one of the year's best come December.
QUENTIN
Despite what the trailers advertised, Challengers surprisingly is a semi-bore that isn’t very sexy or exciting, featuring thinly drawn characters, an unsatisfying ending that doesn’t align with the shallow story that preceded it, and an abundance of blatant product placement (I mean…Applebees?). Plus, director Luca Guadagnino clearly is in try-too-hard mode, using a non-linear structure that hurts the movie’s pacing and plotting, slow-motion sweat drips galore, and “tennis ball cam.” It wasn’t until the final ten minutes that I leaned forward in my seat with enthusiasm, which is too late in the game. Admittedly, the score rips and the performances are great, but overall? Fault, Guadagnino.
PAIGE
In tennis terms, Challengers is an ace. Sparkling with energy, this commercial arthouse film features an electrifying score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, a deft editing style with clever framework, and three fantastic and palpable performances by Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor. With tennis as its backdrop, this exquisite character study on passion and desire demonstrates the drive and dedication needed to maintain a relationship. With that said, director Luca Guadagnino serves up a fierce and intimate drama packed with pulse-pounding tension on and off the court.
KATIE
Challengers is absurdly exciting and sexy, with a show-stopping performance from Zendaya, who is absolutely dripping in star quality and alluring charisma. The trio at the centre of the drama have magnetic chemistry, and all their interactions feel like an intense match of witty dialogue and erotic tension. A throbbing techno soundtrack by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross injects a bolt of adrenaline into every moment, heightening the rhythmic quality of the games and intensity of the verbal altercations. Challengers kept me entertained and on my toes throughout, further solidifying Zendaya as our next true movie star.
CALEB
With Challengers, director Luca Guadagnino has cemented himself as one of the boldest, most exciting filmmakers of our generation. It’s a confident, sexy tennis drama with more style than you can shake a racket at. From the pulse-pounding EDM score to the unbelievable camera tricks, every element of this film feels inspired. Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor make for excellent rivals, and Zendaya’s subdued but fierce performance caught me off-guard in the best way possible. It’s rare that a movie has me on the edge of my seat, but the last ten minutes of Challengers had me in a chokehold. This one deserves all the hype.
PRESTON
Challengers does little to enhance my enthusiasm for tennis, and it shows what extremes must be taken in order to coerce the audience into feeling emotionally invested enough to feel the tension in the final act. Director Luca Guadagnino creates a misleading love story with tennis-like, back-and-forth storytelling that is more distracting than riveting. The over-the-top sexiness of its marketing ploy doesn’t deliver either, although some innovative camerawork and the overall sound do make up for many shortcomings. Zendaya shines, as expected, in a film that definitely fits more into the realm of “challenger” than Pro Tour.
AMARÚ
There’s a palpable energy throughout Challengers that initially clashed with director Luca Guadagnino’s jerky pacing and risked the opening act grinding the film to a screeching halt. But as the movie progressed and the volley of chemistry between Zendaya (a capital S, Star), Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor ramped up, there was no denying the pulsating groove that kept building and building to a satisfying finish. Add in a great use of POV shots, slow-motion, and a titillating Trent Reznor/Atticus Ross score to make you as hot and bothered as possible, and you get the sexiest and most captivating film of the year.
