Director Luca Guadagino, who directed two films I loved before, such as “Call Me By your Name,” and “Bones and All,” is back with his latest and possibly best project so far. It's a very sensual tennis drama that is quite steamy, not referring to any specific pasta brand.
The very popular actress Zendaya (“Dune: Part 2”) is playing Tashi Duncan, a highly sought after tennis prodigy who is on the rise in her sport. That is until an unexpected injury puts her court-side as a coach for her current husband facing off in a title match against her former lover. Quite the dramatic situation, like a typical Saturday night for me!
The attractive, competing characters are Art Donaldson, played by Mike Faist, and his former best friend Patrick Zweig, played by Josh O’Connor of “The Crown” series. The rivalry between the two men is very captivating. It's quite an engaging tennis film, similar to Woody Allen’s “Match Point” in 2005.
“Challengers” is this year’s “Saltburn” with less of its shocking content. The film's storytelling can be a bit confusing at times, but as long as you're not doing drugs in the movie theater, you should have no trouble following along. If I had little problem, then that is saying a lot. … Shrug. “Challengers” felt fashionable, erotic and went down as smoothly as a blended summer margarita. Don’t forget the necessary salted rim of course!
It was definitely not difficult to enjoy “Challengers” — talk about a great success.
