Challengers
Amazon MGM StudiosOver the last decade, few filmmakers have shown the blend of variety and consistency as Luca Guadagnino. Jumping between genres, identities, and tone, Guadagnino has defined himself as one of the best working filmmakers continuing his momentum with his 8th feature release, Challengers. Originally set to be released in late 2023 before being bumped to an early 2024 release date due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, Challengers sees a triple-threat cast of lead performers bring to life a layered triangle of romance and drama with the eruption of their shared history and trauma being at the finals of a Challengers tennis event in New York.
On one side of the court is Art Donaldson (Mike Faist), a superstar in the tennis world who is trying to shake off a recent losing streak on his mission to finally win the US Open before retirement. Art is married to Tashi (Zendaya), a once-promising tennis star who has had to retreat to the roles of manager, wife, and mother following a career-ending injury in college. On the other side of the court is Patrick Zweig (Josh O'Connor). While Patrick has flirted with success, his career has not taken off like Art leaving him to compete in smaller tournaments to even have enough money to pay for a hotel room.
The tennis match shared between them is first introduced like this. A competition of class and momentum with Patrick clearly being the underdog against Art. As the film continues, non-linear storytelling takes the audience through their long history revealing more and more context for the emotions shared in this match and what is on the line. It cannot be stated how strong this direction is and how well Justin Kuritzkes' screenplay for the film works when the audience is unaware of what is to come. The film unpacks itself like an onion with every layer giving a new depth and meaning to the match being played. Just when it feels like all the cards are on the table, the film has an ace up its sleeve with a new bomb to drop. For those along for the ride, this experience is devilishly fun and rewarding. Each turn will pull viewers closer to the edge of their seats as the drama becomes richer and richer. Challengers is a film with no perfect character or source of morality but rather a film with flawed characters trying to get ahead and win the game.
The game these figures are playing is often undefined. One clear thing is that all 3 of these individuals love tennis. Tashi especially seems obsessed with the sport with every conversation she has seemingly being about the sport in some way. Yet, similar to how the match being played has other layers to it, these conversations also hint that there is more below the surface. While some are sure to be disappointed by the film's refusal to truly reveal what the exact motivations and goals of its characters are, and the film ends without a clear answer for where they will be going next after this game, this creates a text that is even more worthy to engage. The audience can have a debate and conversation about these questions, finding new interpretations and clues on further rewatches. While Challengers might be one of Guadagnino's most politically light films to date, the film is in no way a simplistic feature in narrative or voice.
While the screenplay sets the stage for an impressive feature, it is the performances that truly elevate this piece to being a masterpiece. Faist, Zendaya, and O'Connor are all genuinely flawless carrying the ups and downs of the film's emotions with ease. All 3 performers have to bounce between being entertaining, cruel, heartbroken, angry, and confused with each individual holding their own. Faist has a bitterness and brooding uneasiness that is the perfect type against the intense and manipulative Zendaya who delivers career-best work. O'Connor is more likable, but also has an edge to him that is slowly seen as he seems to truly enjoy the destruction his presence causes with the audience never quite knowing if that read is correct or not. O'Connor has steadily built an impressive resume for himself between God's Own Country, Romeo and Juliet, and La chimera among others with Challengers being the perfect next step for the actor.
Behind the camera, Guadagnino brings his noticeable eye for texture and energy with the film feeling electric in its dripping sweat and sexual tension. Guadagnino is a master at evoking the senses with his filmmaking and Challengers is no different. Special praise also has to be sent to Sayombhu Mukdeeprom for his consistently inspired moments of cinematography and the newest collaboration between Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for the film's techno score which is instantly iconic and possibly one of the duo's best. These elements help give the film a personality and style that is slick and of its own.
These pieces help to round out Challengers to be a truly flawless feature. Every element is working on such a high level of talent that there is no single piece of the film to pick apart or poke at to find weaknesses. The film is engaging and entertaining as a stellar cast brings to life a great screenplay. With a master behind the camera making sure everything is working in tandem while injecting his own personal flair and touch, Challengers is the first true cinematic masterpiece of 2024.
