By Robbie Fleming
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Studio: Amazon/MGM Studios, Warner Bros.
Challengers, the 2024 sports drama directed by Luca Guadagnino, has become one of the biggest films of the year. It’s great to see an original film being both a hit with fans and critics. I think this success is largely due to Zendaya, known for her work in Euphoria, Spider-Man, and Dune. She has proven herself to be a bankable star in a way no actor or actress has in years. I believe we are witnessing the resurgence of the movie star with this new generation of actors, and Challengers serves as the prototype.
In Challengers, Zendaya plays a former tennis player who forms a love triangle with two of her fellow tennis players (played by Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist). However, everything becomes intense when the two men she loves face each other in a match. Written by Justin Kuritzkes, the film is structured with the framing device of the big tennis match while cutting to flashbacks of the three main characters' relationships with each other.
I’ve seen Challengers four times now, and I can honestly say it’s one of my favorite films of 2024. While a tennis love drama might sound boring on paper, the film manages to make it engaging and intense, thanks to its structure. If the film were told in chronological order, it wouldn’t work the same way because the tension would be less effective, and the plot would feel boring rather than intriguing. I also praise the dialogue for feeling realistic and the characters for being well-developed and interesting, no matter who you’re rooting for.
My favorite aspect of the film is the score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. It gives the film an '80s synth style that enhances the tension and tone. The score makes the film more thrilling, often playing immediately after a key dramatic moment to elevate the excitement. I also commend the cinematography by Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, which delivers stunning shots, especially during the tennis scenes, making them thrilling to watch.
Zendaya’s performance is fantastic, offering a classic movie star turn as this menacing character at the center of two men she’s controlling. Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor also deliver excellent performances, distinguishing their characters and playing off each other as foils, as well as friends turned arch-rivals.
Overall, Challengers shines as a well-rounded, great film. The story, characters, cinematography, score, and performances all combine to create a gripping narrative that is absolutely worth checking out. I give Challengers a rating of 5/5 and 10/10—one of the rare films I consider perfect.
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