‘Challengers’ Movie Review: Zendaya Cements Herself As A Cinematic Powerhouse… Game, Set, Match
Photo from Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures
From Joe Peltzer
With the way in which Challengers employs countless flashbacks to advance the narrative, it may sound bizarre to read that this is Luca Guadagnino’s most straight-forward film yet. Coming off of 2022’s identity-exploring and cannibal-centric Bones and All, Challengers examines a sexy love triangle flush with manipulation, selfish desires, and tortured friendships. Oh, and outstanding performances by Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor.
Zendaya plays Tashi Duncan, a young tennis prodigy who takes on coaching after an injury jettisons her playing career. When she catches the eyes of friends and fellow tennis players Art (Faust) and Patrick (O’Connor), the competition heightens and friendships fracture, leading to an important match that is bound to change everything. Guadagnino’s film presents writer Justin Kuritzkes’ story (adapted from Camille DeAngelis’ book of the same name) in a non-linear narrative, flashbacks jumping to different times strongly populating much of the film and slowly providing the puzzle pieces for the larger picture. Through it all, the cast delivers mesmerizing performances that bring their characters to life and catapult you to high levels of investment into how it all will turn out.
It’s time to recognize the fact that Zendaya is an absolute star, a versatile actress who finally has been given the opportunity to step out of the teenage portrayals here and deliver what amounts to her best film work yet. She commands every scene that she is in with confidence and simmering intensity, opposite two costars who are up to the task of matching her energy in Faist and O’Connor. Faist is the more subdued of the two, Art’s journey being one that ultimately is at odds with his wife’s expectations and brewing palpable tension. O’Connor’s Patrick is more of a wild card, a looser performance that balances out the trio perfectly. All three actors shine in every scene without a weak moment present throughout.
Propelling the engaging, downright fun story is an absolute banger of a soundtrack from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Quite simply, this soundtrack needs to be the soundtrack of my life, mixing techno with an 80s flare and unique pulse-pounding touches that flawlessly compliment each scene. Seriously, stream the soundtrack and try not to become entrapped in the catchy beats. As far as the cinematography goes, Guadagnino has reteamed with frequent collaborator Sayombhu Mukdeeprom (Call Me by Your Name, Suspiria) to craft stylishly-filmed outing that features immersive shots of the sport of tennis. Unique angles further entrance you as the perspective shifts from general shooting to seeing the court from the racket, from underneath, even having the camera ride the ball back and forth over the net. It’s jarring at first, but oh so distinctive. Save for a few editing/continuity errors, this is a damn near flawless execution.
In a year populated already by major blockbusters and franchise continuations, Challengers emerges as a fresh, sexy, evocative original film showcasing the future of Hollywood in both its actors and Guadagnino. It’s certainly the director’s best film to date and one that I expect to garner a lot of Oscars attention for its young, talented starts. Zendaya is coming for you, Oscar, and she deserves it. Challengers is easily my favorite film of the year thus far.
Rating: 4.5/5
Challengers hits theaters on April 26th, 2024.
