Challengers: Who knew Tennis could be this thrilling!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rob Ryan

Luca Guadagnino's Challengers combines sports dynamics, sexual dynamics, relationship dynamics, gender dynamics and meshes them altogether into one exciting and compelling package. What could have been cliched is presented in such a nuanced fashion throughout that the entire film feels fresh and new. Very rarely have I seen a sports movie with not only so much personal and emotional stakes, but actually allows us to experience the psychology that dictates every move and decision made in every new game, also very rarely does a sports movie actually provide no easy answers on who is the winner and loser as such an essentialist epilogue would only cheapen the experience.

It begins in August of 2019 where former Tennis champion now coach Tashi Donaldson (Zendaya) and her husband, Tennis pro Art (Mike Faist) go to a challenger event in Atlanta in order to hopefully get his game back after a long losing streak. The opponent however is Patrick Zweig (Josh O'Connor) Whose history with the couple goes way back. Something that the movie from this point forward, convey's through flashback, providing the audience with much needed context for everything leading up to this one game. A movie consisting almost entirely of flashback could have easily gone wrong but the narrative frame work and storytelling of Justin Kuritzkles, immaculate, funny and playful screenplay is one that is always constantly evolving, that we as an audience are never once left behind from this movie's grip. Just as when you have this movie figured out or you thought it couldn't do any more to surprise you, the movie takes 5 steps ahead of you.

Guadagnino who's previous movie Bones and All which was one of my favourite movies of 2022 is becoming one of those rare directors that isn't afraid to break the mold of filmmaking conventions, this style further delivered thanks to the minimal but crisp cinematography by Sayombhu Mukdeeprom his long time collaborator, the editing Marco Costa and Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross catchy and pulse pounding score all provide extra layers of gravitas in all of it's sports scenes, the movie has a lack of restraint to adopt new tricks when it comes to these moments and it's all the better for it, particularly when we cut back to Atlanta in the films present. From placing the camera POV to the ball being hit, to slow motion that follow through with elation as you realise that you have been holding your breath due to extreme emotional investment.

The movie however is at its best with its exchanges. All of which play out as their own metaphorical version of Tennis with each character providing each new verbal come back, each one out doing each other at every possible turn that they become more eye catching as the tennis scenes and with the score being almost as loud. The movie is very particular and honest about the messy ways we as people hurt each other during relationships, whether being our wants and needs being radically different to each other, what could starts out as a relationship out of lust could evolve into something much more and what happens when it get's tough. All of these complicated feelings along with the frame work of this one game, build up to a climax with an uneasy dilemma as you are not exactly sure who has more to lose, who deserves to go home victorious, who deserves to be on the high ground and who really deserves success and happiness.

The performances and casting are perfect. Josh O' Connor one of the most underrated actors working today manages to make every role seem new and get's into the skin of every new role no matter how big and small, this is no different as he plays Patrick as someone who is the perfect definition of a "F*** Boy" A Charming personality masks his inability to respect boundaries. He has no filter, and hasn't evolved beyond acting like a college student at every possible turn. Mike Faist's Art is his polar opposite, He like Patrick is completely smitten when he first see's Tashi but makes an attempt to say the right and respectful thing, even if Tashi can see right through it. He's considerate, sympathetic and is a good listener, but all of these qualities make him vulnerable to Tashi's worst qualities, something that Patrick has no qualms with whatsoever calling out.

Then there's Zendaya's Tashi who has become one of the most dynamic performers of her generation. Tashi is uncompromising, beyond determined, hard as nails and will stop at nothing to get her way, she knows the game thick and thin and is always seemingly in control of every situation. She is in other words, "a bad bitch" A role that she fits like the right key for a particular lock.

Challengers is not just a movie, it's an experience, in the never ending age of regurgitated blockbusters, it's nice to know that straightforward, human dramas like this can not only still be seen but be more on the edge of your seat then what ever the hell Godzilla VS Kong movie number 5,000 was. Challengers is about messy people, and it never gives an essentialist or binary conclusion to any one of them. It's not about winners and losers, but about the path they take on their careers and the only thing bringing them together is their love of the same game. Challengers is a rare studio movie that respects its audience and is one of 2024's best films so far.

Challengers is out in UK Cinemas now.