Directed by: Luca Guadagnino
Written by: Justin Kuritzkes
Run Time: 2 hours 11 minutes

Over the last ten years, Italian film director Luca Guadagnino has had quite the career. From psychological drama A Bigger Splash (2015), to award-winning coming-of-age romance Call Me By Your Name (2017), horror remake Suspiria (2018), and cannibalistic romance Bones and All (2022), he’s proven to have quite the range when it comes to telling memorable cinematic stories. Challengers, then, is arguably his most mainstream work to date. And with a budget of $55 million, Zendaya in the leading role and rising stars Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist at his disposal too, it appears Guadagnino is all set for his latest celluloid serve.

Set mainly in 2019, Challengers follows Tashi Duncan (Zendaya), a former tennis player now coaching her husband and top tennis pro, Art Donaldson (Faist). Tashi enters Art into a ‘Challenger’ event to boost his confidence after an injury, which results in Art having to face Patrick Zweig (O’Connor), his former best friend. As their match against each other approaches, a battle of wits and power commences, both on, and off the court.

One of the most exciting aspects of Challengers is its non-linear storyline which unfolds back and forth over the course of a thirteen-year period. Patrick and Art, previously competing as a doubles team, meet Tashi and are both instantly enamoured with her. While the outcome of these flashbacks is shown at the beginning of the film, Challengers still manages to remain gripping, thanks to the excellent performances of its main trio and the impeccable editing between the two timelines. Sometimes the speed at which the film moves between the past and present can be a little overwhelming, but overall it works, almost making the audience feel like a tennis ball themselves, bouncing between two sides of the story.

It’s no surprise that the central threesome have excellent chemistry, supported by first-time screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes’ intriguing script. Each of the characters are given time to shine and develop, with many of their unique quirks serving a purpose within the storyline in a natural way. Cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom also impressively amplifies the film’s atmosphere with a keen focus on close-ups, capturing every muscle flex and drop of sweat, of which the film is drenched in. While perspective shots from not only the main characters, but inanimate objects too, make the whole experience even more immersive.

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross add a further layer of tension through the film’s score, taking a left turn and leaving their signature ambient electronic style behind in favour of a pulsating techno house soundtrack. It not only helps to keep the tennis matches thrilling, but makes the argumentative and manipulative dialogue in scenes court-side feel like sports games of their own, even if the music can sometimes feel slightly overpowering.

Nonetheless, the rich narrative of determination, obsession and manipulation becomes a great showcase for both Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist, who once more prove what thoroughly exciting and capable actors they are, while Zendaya asserts her undeniable star power ever further. With such an engaging trio constantly giving the film this strong and consistent momentum, Challengers is yet another grand slam in Guadagnino’s stacked filmography, being both exciting and erotic in equal measure.

Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★