Movie Review – Challengers

Challengers follows Tashi (Zendaya) as she coaches her husband, Art (Mike Faist) as he faces his estranged friend, Patrick (Josh O’Connor) in a tennis match that has implications for all of them on and off the court. Scenes from the past add context to a complex history between the three of them.

Director Luca Guadagnino gives us a film that makes you root for Tashi and both men, but each player is both likable and flawed at the same time. Their flaws are on full display, but you root for them anyway. Because who wouldn’t want to compete for a chance to be with Zendaya?

As far as sports movies go, this one will be up there with the greats, easily going to the top of my list with Love and Basketball. Cinematography is beautiful. And the soundtrack is both surprising and exciting.

All good things here in this film I’ll probably watch a lot of in the future. A feast for the eyes on.

Four and a half stars out of five. Because this film is a spectacle.